Portugal is more than just port wine. That is where most people’s experience with Portuguese wines may have started and stopped, but Portuguese wines are so much more. I quite enjoy the red and white blends from Portugal. They are very food friendly and tend to be ready to drink once purchased.
There are more than 250 grape varieties in Portugal, giving the winemaker quite a selection when they make their wines. Some of these grapes, like Touriga Nacional can be made into single varietal wines, while others are meant for blending. Portugal has been making wines since 2000 BC, which is quite amazing.
Portugal was one of the theme countries at the Vancouver International Wine Festival 2018. I enjoyed tasting as many of their wines as possible but did not get to try all the wines. Below are some of my recommended wines. If you tasted some terrific Portuguese wines, please leave a comment and let us all know about it. Obrigado.
My Portuguese Wine Picks
Aveleda Reserva da Familia Alvarinho 2016 – Ripe peach and grapefruit nose, with more on the palate. Mineral. Dry. 
– 
Aveleda Alvarinho 2016 – lively grapefruit nose. More grapefruit on the palate. Dry with higher acidity. Both Aveleda wines should be great for our upcoming summer and enjoy with BC seafood. These two wines are known as Vinho Verde, “green wines”. 
–
Niepoort Redoma Branco Douro 2016 – Light stone fruit nose. Medium body and acidity. Smooth mouthfeel. Light stone fruit and sweet spices on the palate.
Companhia Agricola do Sanguinhal Quinta de Cerejeiras Reserva Branco 2016 – A blend of Chardonnay and Arinto. Ripe tropical fruit nose. More on the palate along with citrus. Tart fruit. A mineral component to it. Butterscotch and oak later. Medium acidity. Medium plus to full-bodied. A BIG wine.
Herdade das Servas Monte das Servas Escolha White 2015 – Nice nose of ripe stone fruit aromas. Fuller body, smooth, with flavours of stone fruit and light lychee, and lime later. Medium plus acidity. Tasty.
Sogrape Vinhos Casa Ferreirinha Planalto Vinho Blanco Reserva 2016 – Light orange and floral nose. Off-dry with medium body and acidity. Stone fruit, citrus, orange and flowers on the palate. Pretty.
Quinta Vale D. Maria VVV Valleys Douro Branco 2016 – Light honey and stone fruit aromas. Butterscotch, stone fruits, and minerality on the palate. Dry and soft mouthfeel. A cool wine.
Herdade Paco do Conde Touriga Nacional and Syrah 2015 – Chocolate and dark fruit nose. Full body, off-dry with soft tannins and medium acidity. Full black fruit flavours.
Real Companhia Velha Quinta das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional 2014 – Light intensity, dark fruit and capsicum on the nose. Dry with dusty tannins. Sweet black fruit flavours. –
