Page 76 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 LISBON EDITION

Portuguese Wines: A Profusion of Confusion

During our several visits to Portugal, we’ve melier Examination and learned that the blind
grown fond of the country’s wines - they are tasting included Portuguese wines, I’d ask the
good and cheap. Oh, there are expensive ones to examiners to “just shoot me!”
be sure, but the majority offered at mini mar- So that begs the question. “How do you
kets around town are less than $5, and only learn about Portuguese wines?”
double that in most cafes. We’re glad you asked. Most of us just want
The problem is selection. In America, we to find a wine to enjoy before or with a meal. It’s
pick wines by varietal. Here, the region is first, not that hard at restaurants, where inexpensive
followed by the varietal or blend and finally the house wines are a good bet by the glass, liter or
vintage year. Scanning wines in a supermarket bottle. Most of the time, these are very easy to
or wine shop here makes your head spin. Every drink table wines. We’ve also found servers and
once in a while, you’ll spot a familiar label like sommeliers to be very helpful if you can explain
Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, or Chardonnay. the characteristics you like in a wine. Often, es-
But mostly you’ll be a stranger in a strange pecially the wine recommended is being sold by
land of grapes. Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, the glass, they will pour you a taste.
Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Trincadeira, Tinta Finding wines you love on supermarket
Amarela, Castelão, Alvarinho, Arinto, Fernão shelves can be a crap shoot. Sometimes I focus
Pires/Maria Gomes, are the top varietals in Por- on regions - there are 14 - if had a wine from,
tugal. Plus, there are another 250 others you’ve say, Dou or Alentejo or Douro that I liked. Or, I
never heard of. If I were taking a Master Som- look for bottles with a tag touting high marks

76 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023