The 10 Best Portuguese Wines

Portugal, the beautiful Iberian country has a large array of grape varietals that produce different types of wines. For wine lovers, it is the best country to navigate as they get to taste different varieties that are not available anywhere in the world. Like every wine producing countries, Portugal also has classifications which explain wine quality. Labeling of Portuguese wine bottles is according to the region instead of the grape variety.

The glory of Portugal lies in the impressive selection of wine grapes Douro Reds, Alicante Bouschet, Jaen, Vinho Verde, and others are incredibly flavorful. The versatile wines are fine for any time of the year, perfect for drinking by them, and fits with a range of foods such as poultry to red meat and cheese. The following drinks are on the top of the list from being famous among Portuguese as well as people across the globe. So let’s have a look!

Flutt White Sparkling

It is an effervescent, bright citrine colored wine whose delicate and fresh aroma boosts up the energy with pleasure and balance. Maria-Gomes and Bical grape varieties produce this wine. The grapes are picked after maturation and then kept at an adequate temperature for fermentation. This process longs for six months with regular lees stirring. The wine takes on creatine yellow color with persistent effervescence after the second fermentation.

Starters, Fatty fish and caviar are the best food options to pair with this wine. Proper storage requirement is 15 degree Celsius and serves chill.

Passadouro Reserva Tinto (2015)

This wine features intense aromas of spice and black fruit. It is deep purple in color with a rich and balanced flavor. The impressive concentration, firm tannins, and a long finish make it special. The wine is produced from a 70-year-old field blend.

It is fermented and later foot-trodden in granite. It is aged for 18 months in a 50% new French Oak. Duoro’s wine regulation body, the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP) has designated it as “reserve” due to its exceptional quality. It is best accompanied with venison, wild boar ragu, and roast lamb.

Alvarinho Deu La Deu Premium

From the region of Vinho Verde, this white wine is made of Alvarinho grape variety. It contains 13% alcohol. The presence of awesome grape variety along with dried fruits with perfectly balanced oak wood results in the aging process. The smooth, dry and full-bodied wine pairs well with fish and roast lamb.

Touriga Nacional Tinto

The Touriga Nacional of Quinta do Noval features all the delicate floral aromatic quality. It is the noblest grape of Douro Valley. The purity and freshness are excellent and refreshing. It has a vital role in Porto Wines stocking and enjoys recognition internationally.

DR Porto 30 Years

The wine is light amber with an aroma of varieties of dried fruits. It is matured and concentrated on the palate along with honeyed fruit. It has an amazingly long finish and gorgeously mellow. The grape varieties used in the production are Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz.

Serve this drink at 18 degree Celsius or slightly cold. It is like an aperitif or best when served after the meal with chocolate or cheese desserts. It can be consumed fresh.

Falcoaria Late Harvest

The wine is aromatic and exuberant with strong notes of dehydrated apricot, mandarin, fig as well as orange flower. Fernão Pires and Viognier grape variety are useful in the production of this wine. It presents an excellent structure with living acidity in harmony with aromatic notes. Very persistent and ends fresh.

After harvesting grape berries, and storing them in separate passages for two weeks temporarily, the aging takes place for 24 months after fermentation in French oak barrels.  Serve it at a temperature of 10 degree Celsius as an aperitif. It is excellent with desserts. This serves up to 16 degree Celsius as a dessert wine.

Private Selection White

The wine’s personality and its complexity is the outcome of the selection of best grapes, climatic conditions and the creative skills of the winemakers. The bunch pressing followed by cold settling fermentation in new French oak barrels in a controlled environment and six months maturation and aging on less with gradual stirring gives an elegant and balanced flavor. Production of this wine is done with the help of Semillon grape variety.

The wine is straw colored, crystal clear with tropical fruit aroma, ripe citric with white chocolate and toasty oak notes. Serve it at a temperature in between 8 to 10 degree Celsius. Pair it with seafood, white meats, fresh fish and as an aperitif.

Graham’s Vintage Port

The wine has beguiling scents of wild hedgerow, tobacco, blackberry, and cloves. With excellent definition, lacy and compelling, the palate is medium with fine tannins and acidity. It is harmonious and comes with the pure core of black cherries, marmalade, damson, spices, and clove. It lingers long in the mouth. The Graham 2011 comes from five Quintas that are sourced for many years. The blend of 31% Touriga Franca, 40% Touriga Nacional, 6% Sousao and 23% mixture of very old vines.

Niepoort Vintage

The brand continues the tradition to create delicate, balanced and delicious fortified wines. It is Black cherry and Juicy plum, elegant minerals and chewy tannins. Production of wine is from the grapes sourced from Cima Corgo from a mix of vineyards in the Douro. The youngest vineyard among these is 80 years old. Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca, Tinta Francisca, Sousão, Tinta Amarela and others like Touriga Nacional grape varieties along with 100% stems are useful in the vinification.

After handpicking these grapes and harvesting, foot treading in granite Lagares at Niepoort’s winery takes place, and then it goes for two years aging.

Taylor’s Vargellas Vinha Velha

The wine retains a bouquet that opens with the scents of small dark Cherries, strawberry preserve, crushed stone, and fig jam. It has an awesome definition. The medium-bodied, spicy black fruit layer, a touch of white pepper and cloves, fine tannins emerge elegant with an intense finish. The slight austerity lends a class and breeding to this Port. It is perfect for serious Port lovers.

Brooding and dark with wet earth, spice, blackberry, and blueberry notes turn to floral. It has a medium sweet, full-bodied in addition to an awesome depth of fruit and ripe tannins. This goes on the palate for a minute, fine and elegant yet so powerful.