It seems like forever since the G7 blew into town, but I bet if I looked it up its only been a couple of years at most (for the curious it was October 2009). A lot seems to have happened to this consortium in the interim - they no longer represent 7 wineries, due to attrition (some left some were bought out) only 5 wineries remain ... but they do represent 7 of Portugal's main regions: Douro, Vinho Verde, Bairrada, Dao, Lisbon, Alentejo and Terras do Sado. Five winery principals joined us for a presentation of the 7 regions, their wines, lunch and more wine - so let's get right down to it.
The Regions ...
1) Vinho Verde - comprises 10% of Portugal's land under vine (21,000 hectares), average holding is only about 0.8 hectares.
2) Douro - Portugal's most famous region, known for Port wines, there are three major crops here: almonds, olives and grapes.
3) Dao - "not big wines but elegant wines", due to the diurnal temperatures of the region: warm during the day and cooler nights.
4) Bairrade - very wet region: September to May is the rainy season, average holding per property is about 2 acres. Have been growing international varieties like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot for only the past 15 years.
5) Alentejo - very flat area, hottest region of Portugal where temps can hit 40+ degrees in June and remain at 30+ at night, so little relief from the heat.
6) Lisboa - region is known for its foggy, windy and cooler conditions.
7) Setubal - I must have fallen asleep at this point cause I have no notes about the regions ... I find this peculiar, but ...
The P5 (Portugal Five Wineries) of the G7...
Alianca (est. 1927) - 800 acres of vineyard spread thru 5 regions.
Aveleda (est. 1947) - annual production is 14 million bottles, exported to over 40 countries.
Bacalhoa (est. 1922) - originally Joao Pires & Filhos, have wineries in 3 regions, production capacity tops out at 12 million litres and they can age wine in up to 6000 barrels.
Jose Maria da Fonseca (Est. an elegant lady never reveals her age) - one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Portugal, own over 600 hectares of land and possess on their properties a collection of over 560 different grape varieties.
Caves Messias (est. 1926) - wines are exported to more than 50 countries, they make wine in a wide range of styles from Champagne method sparklers to rich flavourful Ports.
Seminar Wines of Note ...
Aveleda 2010 Qunita da Aveleda (Vinho Verde) - lovely nose that's floral and tropical with good minerality ... good mouth watering acidity makes this very food friendly and summery.
Messias 2007 Quinta do Valdoeiro (Barrada) - a mix of indigenous (Baga, Touriga Nacional) and international (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon); fresh and fruity nose with a palate of dark berry, chocolate and a hint of chalky minerality yet very approachable.
Alianca 2005 Quinta da Garrida Touriga Nacional (Dao) - aged in a mix of French and Russian oak; smooth with blackberries, blueberries and cocoa.
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2007 Jose de Sousa Mayor (Alentejo) - top end wine of the winery which is made in clay pots; made form indigenous grapes (Aragones, Trincadeira) and one known as Grand Noir (brought in by Napoleon, a cross made in the 1850's from Petit Bouchet and Aramon). Lovely wine with elegance and finesse - really well structured: chocolate, blackberry and silky tannins.
The Main Tasting - one standout from each winery ...
Alianca 2007 Quinta da Terrugem (Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouchet) - *** 1/2+
Aveleda 2007 Follies Touriga Nacional (Touriga Nacional) - *** 1/2
Bacalhoa 2007 Quinta do Carmo (Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon) - ****
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2006 Moscatel de Setubal JMF (Moscatel de Setubal) - fortified wine that tasted like liquid caramel - ****+
Messias 2005 Porto LBV (Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca) - stunning 2005 LBV worthy of having on hand for those cold winter nights - **** 1/2
Lunch - the two best wines ...
Aveleda 2009 Grande Follies (90% Chardonnay and an indigenous blend of 4 other grapes) - vanilla. toast, baked apple - fruity up front with a good wood character that does not try to add too much.
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2008 Periquita Superyor (Castelao 92.6%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Tinta Francisca 2.4%) - plum and blackberry aromas lead to blackberry, cassis, and a touch of licorice on the finish, lots of fruit with a gentle kick of spice.
Lunch provided by the Chef's House of George Brown College (pictures below)
Teaching an old dog new tricks - Domingos Soares Franco (L) & Pedro da Costa (R) |
The Regions ...
1) Vinho Verde - comprises 10% of Portugal's land under vine (21,000 hectares), average holding is only about 0.8 hectares.
2) Douro - Portugal's most famous region, known for Port wines, there are three major crops here: almonds, olives and grapes.
3) Dao - "not big wines but elegant wines", due to the diurnal temperatures of the region: warm during the day and cooler nights.
4) Bairrade - very wet region: September to May is the rainy season, average holding per property is about 2 acres. Have been growing international varieties like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot for only the past 15 years.
5) Alentejo - very flat area, hottest region of Portugal where temps can hit 40+ degrees in June and remain at 30+ at night, so little relief from the heat.
6) Lisboa - region is known for its foggy, windy and cooler conditions.
7) Setubal - I must have fallen asleep at this point cause I have no notes about the regions ... I find this peculiar, but ...
The P5 (Portugal Five Wineries) of the G7...
Alianca (est. 1927) - 800 acres of vineyard spread thru 5 regions.
Aveleda (est. 1947) - annual production is 14 million bottles, exported to over 40 countries.
Bacalhoa (est. 1922) - originally Joao Pires & Filhos, have wineries in 3 regions, production capacity tops out at 12 million litres and they can age wine in up to 6000 barrels.
Jose Maria da Fonseca (Est. an elegant lady never reveals her age) - one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Portugal, own over 600 hectares of land and possess on their properties a collection of over 560 different grape varieties.
Caves Messias (est. 1926) - wines are exported to more than 50 countries, they make wine in a wide range of styles from Champagne method sparklers to rich flavourful Ports.
Seminar Wines of Note ...
Aveleda 2010 Qunita da Aveleda (Vinho Verde) - lovely nose that's floral and tropical with good minerality ... good mouth watering acidity makes this very food friendly and summery.
Messias 2007 Quinta do Valdoeiro (Barrada) - a mix of indigenous (Baga, Touriga Nacional) and international (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon); fresh and fruity nose with a palate of dark berry, chocolate and a hint of chalky minerality yet very approachable.
Alianca 2005 Quinta da Garrida Touriga Nacional (Dao) - aged in a mix of French and Russian oak; smooth with blackberries, blueberries and cocoa.
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2007 Jose de Sousa Mayor (Alentejo) - top end wine of the winery which is made in clay pots; made form indigenous grapes (Aragones, Trincadeira) and one known as Grand Noir (brought in by Napoleon, a cross made in the 1850's from Petit Bouchet and Aramon). Lovely wine with elegance and finesse - really well structured: chocolate, blackberry and silky tannins.
Stunning ... Messias LBV 2005 Port |
The Main Tasting - one standout from each winery ...
Alianca 2007 Quinta da Terrugem (Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouchet) - *** 1/2+
Aveleda 2007 Follies Touriga Nacional (Touriga Nacional) - *** 1/2
Bacalhoa 2007 Quinta do Carmo (Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon) - ****
Liquid caramel |
Messias 2005 Porto LBV (Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca) - stunning 2005 LBV worthy of having on hand for those cold winter nights - **** 1/2
Lunch - the two best wines ...
Aveleda 2009 Grande Follies (90% Chardonnay and an indigenous blend of 4 other grapes) - vanilla. toast, baked apple - fruity up front with a good wood character that does not try to add too much.
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2008 Periquita Superyor (Castelao 92.6%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%, Tinta Francisca 2.4%) - plum and blackberry aromas lead to blackberry, cassis, and a touch of licorice on the finish, lots of fruit with a gentle kick of spice.
Lunch provided by the Chef's House of George Brown College (pictures below)
House cured salmon, brioche toast, spring mixed greens, horseradish creme fraiche |
Red wine braised beef short-ribs, ginger scented carrot puree, potato pave, green pea foam |
Canolli filled with candied citrus ricotta mousse, maple & raisin caramel sauce, roasted hazelnuts |
1 comment:
My take ...
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Messias Quinta do Valdoeiro 2007 Bairrada, Signature
-Bacalhoa Quinta da Bacalhoa 2008 Peninsula de Setubal, $40 private order Diamond
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Jose de Sousa Mayor 2007 Alentejo, Dandurand
-Bacalhoa Tinto da Anfora 2008 Alentejo, $11.95 +227256
***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Messias Grande Escholha 2007 Douro, Signature
-Alianca Quinta da Garrida Touriga Nacional 2005 Dao, PMA
-Bacalhoa Quinta dos Loridos 2010 Lisboa (tank sample, white)
-Aveleda Grande Follies 2009 Bairrada, Mark Anthony
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Superyor 2008 Peninsula de Setubal
-Alianca Quinta Dos Quatro Ventos Reserva 2006 Douro, PMA
-Bacalhoa JP Azeitao Red 2010 Peninsula de Setubal, $11.95 consignment Diamond
-Bacalhoa Quinta do Carmo 2007, $37 private order Diamond
-Alianca White 2010 Vinho Verde, PMA
-Alianca Reserva 2008 Dao, PMA
-Alianca Quinta da Terrugem 2007, PMA
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Twin Vines 2010 Vinho Verde, Dandurand
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita White 2010 Peninsula de Setubal, Dandurand
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Red Reserva 2008 Peninsula de Setubal, Dandurand
*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Aveleda Quinta da Aveleda 2010 Vinho Verdes, Mark Anthony
-Aveleda Follies Alvarinho 2010 Minho
-Messias Quinta do Valdoeiro Reserva 2005, $19.95 September Vintages
-Bacalhoa So Touriga Nacional 2007, $35 private order Diamond
-Alianca Alabastro 2010 Alentejo, PMA
-Alianca Feral 2009 Douro, PMA
-Alianca Vista Tinta Roriz 2008 Beiras, PMA
-Aveleda Follies Touriga Nacional 2007 Bairrada, Mark Anthony
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Red 2008 Peninsula de Setubal, Dandurand
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Jose de Sousa 2009 Alentejo, Dandurand
-Jose Maria da Fonseca Domingos 2009 Douro, Dandurand
-Messias Quinta do Penedo 2008 Dao, Signature
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