When one thinks of wines from Portugal, the tendency is to think of red wines or the famous 'vinho verde' from the Northern region of the country. But the country has been producing some great white wines and here is my Top 5 that I discovered last year.
(1) Adega de Penalva Dão
What an amazing white from the Dão wine region in Portugal. An interesting blend of 40% Encruzado, 30% Cercial and 30% Malvasia fina with lovely fresh flavours of green apple. Beautiful golden colour in the glass. Paired well with a lobster salad. Great option with other seafood as well. Fun and creative label. 12.5% alcohol. Available at the SAQ (Code SAQ: 12728904) at the beautiful price of $11.65.
(2) Niepoort Diálogo Douro
An awesome white wine from the Douro region in Portugal. Building on the success of its eponymous red wine, Niepoort, one of the most promising names in the Douro region, has produced this white wine from a blend of grapes from the upper slopes of the Douro, which ends up in a fun blend of 25% Codega, 25 % Doña Blanca, 25 % Gouveio and 25 % Rabigato. Vinified in stainless steel vats and barely touching the oak. Light yellow colour in the glass. Aromas and flavours of green apple. Paired well with salty cod fish. Fun creative label. 12.5% alcohol. Available at the SAQ (SAQ code: 13074375) at $16.10.
(3) AdegaMãe Dory IGP Lisboa
A fantastic white blend of 36% Viosinho, 33% Alvarinho, 19% Arinto and 12% Viognier from Adegamãe Winery in Lisbon, Portugal. The estate is located about 40 kilometers north of Lisbon and is also very close to the sea, reflecting the Atlantic influence, which translates into a freshness and acidity. Light yellow colour in the glass. Aromas and flavours of pears and green apples. Paired well with vegetable egg rolls and general tao chicken. 13 % alcohol. Fun intriguing label. Available at the SAQ (Code SAQ: 13626344) at $14.95.
(4) Bacalhôa Catarina
An amazing white from the Setúbal Peninsula wine region in Portugal, just a few kilometres south of Lisbon. Very interesting blend of 57% Fernão Pires, 35% Chardonnay and 8% Arinto. The presence of Chardonnay is what made it special on the palate for me. A dry white with hints of oak and a crisp zesty finish. I paired it with a mango and lobster salad and grilled octopus. Beautiful label. 13% alcohol. Available at the SAQ (Code SAQ: 11518761) at $13.50.
(5) Cabeça de Toiro Do Tejo Reserva
A lovely white from the Tejo (Ribatejo) wine region in Portugal. I love the blend of 50% Fernão Pires with 25% Chardonnay and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Nice light golden colour in the glass. Aromas and flavours of pineapple and tropical fruits. I paired it with vegetarian dishes: roasted brussel sprouts, stuffed mushrooms, stuffed squash and spinach empanadas. 13% alcohol. Sexy fun label. “Cabeça de toiro” means “head of the bull”. Available at the SAQ (Code SAQ: 14145622) at $15.60.
As you can see, it turns out my favourite white wines are blends with various grape varieties. I particularly like it when the producer blends local and foreign grape varieties. And my Top 5 white wines from Portugal come from 5 different wine regions, a sign of the depth of this wine producing country.
What's your favourite white wine from Portugal?