So, I am on holiday. In the Algarve, Portugal. It’s very hot and sunny, and we are in close proximity to water, which is a good start. I am with…
A big night out at the chief’s!
Feeling a little tired after a wonderful evening at the chief’s last night. The chief is Harpers editor Richard Siddle, who convened a gathering of chums to eat and drink…
Another good Vinho Verde
After recommending a Vinho Verde a couple of days ago, here’s another good-un. This time it is of the spritzy variety, but there’s really nice balance here and some sweetness…
Clip, a really good new Vinho Verde
Super-impressed by this new Vinho Verde, made by Pedro Barbosa, viticulturist at Douro superstar property Vale Meao. Vinho Verde is often a bit spritzy, overcropped and over-acidic, but this is…
Noval Nacional 2011
So, in my initial round-up of 2011 Vintage Ports, I missed Quinta do Noval, and Noval’s Nacional, as well as Romaneira, which shares a connection (Christian Seely). My notes for…
A rarity, a Portuguese Chenin Blanc
I enjoyed this: it’s the first time I’ve had a Portuguese Chenin Blanc. Now Portugal is blessed with a wide array of its own varieties, so you might ask why…
A remarkable fortified dry wine from Portugal
This is an amazing wine. It’s from a now extinct Quinta in Carcavelos, Quinta da Bela Vista. The last crop from this vineyard was in 1969, and Carlos Fonseca (of…
Quinta do Vesuvio 2011, and Capela da Vesuvio 2011
Tonight I’m sampling the remains of two bottles of port from last night’s declaration tasting of the various Symington properties. It’s the pair of wines from Vesuvio, the regular vintage…
The Symington 2011 Ports
So, the headline news on the 2011 vintage Ports from the Symingtons. [I’ll be writing these up in more detail, hopefully this evening.] It’s a very good vintage indeed. Potentially…