Porto has some good wine bars. We checked out two, on our brief visit. The first is Prova. This is a nicely situated, stylish wine bar with a great list and some nice small plates. The staff are also excellent. We got chatting, and were given a taste of a very cool wine that hasn’t yet been released (it’s awaiting approval by the IVDP as it’s a variety that currently isn’t allowed on its own, hence the label).
Quinta da Costa do Pinhão Mourisco 2016 Douro, Portugal
This is a lighter red wine that’s sappy, green, mineral and balanced with supple cherry and plum fruit. It’s stony with subtle notes of iodine and spice. I love it. 94/100
Then we chose a bottle off the list. It was from the Azores, and it was excellent. We had it with some small snacks: anchovies and sardines. This was a happy place.
Magma Verdelho 2016 DO Biscoitos, Azores
This is from the island of Terceira, and it’s made with help from consultant winemaker Anselmo Mendes. Volcanic soils, 1200 bottles made. There’s a lovely intensity and depth to this wine: it’s textural with smoothness, some graininess and focused lemony fruit as well as richer melon notes. Mineral in a textural, grainy sort of way. 93/100
The other wine bar we checked out is rather different. It has a good, strong list at very good prices, but a supplementary attraction is the location: the Wine Quay Bar looks out over the river towards Gaia, and it’s a really stunning view as the sun sets.
We had a pre-dinner bottle of Filipa Pato’s 3B Rosé, which is just a deliciously fruity wine with nice balance. And at €16 for a bottle, with this view, it’s insanely affordable pleasure.
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