Portuguese Wine
Bucking the world wide trend of reducing production, Portugal has increased wine production by 9% this year. Sales of Portuguese table wines in the United States has increased by 40% since 2007.
Often overlooked for anything other than Port, Portugal produces some lovely red wines. Several years ago, former singing idol and philanthropist, Sir Cliff Richards became a part owner of Adega do Cantor Vineyards in Vinho Regional Algarvio. The Onda Nova Syrah is an example of a red wine made with great care and attention to detail in the production. This wine was handpicked from selected blocks of Syrah and batch fermented at cool temperatures in open lagars. It then matured in a combination of 2 year old French Oak barrels and stainless steel for 18 months prior to release.
The result is an easy drinking red showing an impressive deep, dark red color, almost opaque in the middle and a spicy, gamey bouquet, with ripe red berry fruits, and nuances of mocha, tobacco and mint. A soft, sweet supple palate with savoury fruit notes are evident while the good concentration and body are seamlessly integrated with the oak as this nicely structured wine culminates in a long firm finish. $17
