Montreal's La Grande Dégustation wine tasting event was back in 2022 October 20-22 at the Grand Quay in Old Montreal. After a two-year stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was obvious people were looking forward to the event as organizers announced it being sold out early on the second day. There were more than 280 exhibitors from 25 countries all over the world with more than 1,600 products for tasting, including many exclusivities. I focused my attention on wines from Portugal. I had the opportunity to be working at the the Global International Networks Wines & Spirits agency kiosk and enjoy some really great wines.
One of the wine domains represented at the Global kiosk was Casa Ermelinda Freitas, a family-owned company which has been producing wine since 1920. The 550 hectares of vineyards are located in Fernando Pó, a prime area in the region of Palmela in the region of the Setúbal Peninsula. Available for tasting at La Grande Dégustation was their delicious bubbly produced with 85% Fernão Pires and 15% Arinto, described as "a fruity, bright golden wine, reminiscent of citrus and tropical fruit. Well structured, its excellent acidity gives it freshness and longevity. Fresh, very pleasant, with a fruity finish" which is available at the SAQ at the lovely price of $15,60.
A teaser at the event was their vinho verde Campo da vinha which will be available at the SAQ in Spring 2023. I loved this very refreshing wine produced with 80% Loureiro and 20% Trajadura, with aromas and flavours of tropical and citrus fruits. Also testing the market was their Moscatel de Setúbal Superior with its typical concentrated and complex gold-colour wine and aromas and flavours of honey and orange.
Their 2020 Reserva 100% Alicante Bouschet was also available for tasting. Described as "a garnet-coloured wine that is almost opaque. An aroma reminiscent of very ripe dark fruit preserves, with floral notes that are typical of this grape variety. Velvely and full on the palate, with very integrated tannins. A long and persistent finish" the 2016 version is available at the SAQ at $21.80.
Another Portuguese wine house present at the Global kiosk was Adega de Pegões also from the Setúbal Peninsula. A popular wine was their white 2021 selected harvest with 60% Chardonnay, 25% Arinto and 15% Antão Vaz available at the SAQ at $13.60. Their reds were also quite popular which included the 2016 selected harvest, a blend of 25% Touriga Nacional, 25% Aragonez, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah available at the SAQ at $18.75. Also available for tasting was the Fontanário de Pegões produced with 80% Castelão, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Touriga Nacional and available at the SAQ at $13.85 and the Fonte do Nico 100% Castelão available at the SAQ at $9.70. And finally, Adega de Pegões also had for tasting their white Vale da Judia, 100% Moscatel Graúdo, a refreshing floral wine with good acidity. Available at the SAQ at $11.20.
Finally, also available at the Global kiosk were the Cabral wines. On the white side, the Selection option, a blend of 30% Arinto, 20% Rabigato, 20% Viosinho and 15% Gouveio, was a nice pleasant surprise for those tasting it. This white Cabral Seleção is available at the SAQ at $17.70. The white Reserva blend of 40% Viosinho, 25% Arinto, 20% Rabigato and 15% Gouveio was also well appreciated and is available at the SAQ at $14.95. The Cabral Moscatel Galego Branco was also a fun wine to taste at the kiosk. On the red side, the Cabral Reserva seemed well known by those attending the wine tasting event. A blend of 25% Tinta Barroca, 25% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Francesa and 25% Touriga Nacional, it is available at the SAQ at $14.95. The Cabral Seleção was a pleasant discovery for many, including me. With 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 15% Sousão and 15% Tinta Amarela, this red blend is available at the SAQ at $17.70.
A big hit at the Global kiosk was the new baby from this agency, the Licor 35 Pastel de Nata Cream, YES! an alcoholic cream which tastes the delicious famous Portuguese custard tarts. It was an absolute hit! It is available at the SAQ at $36.25. Delicious to have on the rocks, in coffee or on ice cream. And why not add it to your favourite desserts, such as crème brûlée or cheesecake?
Did you discover and/or enjoy a good Portuguese wine at the 2022 La Grande Dégustation de Montréal?