LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATE
THE WINES OF PORTUGAL

Wine Geek Week
Portugal Edition
August 13-18, 2017

More event details below . . .

Revved up to celebrate wines of Portugal
We are drinking Portuguese wines more than ever before. Our Summer favorites span from the thirst slaking Vinho Verdes of Quinta da Raza to the traditional aperitivo of Warre’s White Port with tonic whereas grilling calls for the deep reds of southern Portugal’s Alentejo -our favorite being the Herdade dos Machados by Santos Jorge. Learn more and drink these!

 

• Quinta da Raza’s lineup of estate wines captures the distinct local varieties grown across Vinho Verde from the their award winning blends of Alvarinho and Trajadura, to their Dom Diogo line which showcases the single varieties of Arinto and Azal that can stand alone as varietal wines. All of which deliver crisp, invigorating whites both vinous and easy drinking but slightly effervescent and as gastronomic as they come. Look for Raza, Quinta da Raza Grande Eschola, Dom Diogo Arinto, and Dom Diogo Azal -unique to Celorico de Basto whose warmer and drier climate is the only part of Vinho Verde capable of ripening this unique variety.

 

• Warre’s White Port makes for a refreshing aperitivo purpose built to cut through the heat or else a long day. Suddenly the mind is cleared by clean aromas of fragrant, fresh fruit on the attack that twirls on the tongue to shift into a nutty nuance upheld by juicy acids that balance the sweetness. White Port remains a rarity that people aren’t sure how best to approach. It isn’t dense and chewy like the heavier traditional Ports and shouldn’t be handled the same way. Give it a slight chill and pour a glass for every guest as they arrive. If White Port proves a bit potent for some folks, have some tonic water on the sideboard so people may cut it to taste the way the Portuguese do along the River Douro and everyone will find their sweet spot. Warre’s Fine White is a blend of traditional Portuguese varieties Arinto, Códega, Malvasia Fina, Rabigato, and Viosinho. Makes an excellent aperitif when served chilled or as a long drink with tonic water and a slice of lemon.

 

• Santos Jorge 2007 Herdade dos Machados Reserva proves Alentejo a region worthy of inimitable wines unique to Moura. Aragonez, Trincadeira, Castelão, and Alfrocheiro make up this deep red blend that are just right for the grilling season. This begins in the sunny southern vinelands of Moura in Alentejo, a region pressing right against Spain in Portugal’s southeastern frontier. It is a red of immediate appeal with ample structure, fruits of the forest, that waxy hackberry that reminds one of dried mulberries or blueberries with hints of licorice with a leathern depth that lingers. Planted to clay limestone of the Alentejo DOC, this retains a lovely fragrance that is further rounded out by six months in casks made of the finest French oak from the Allier forests. No wonder this earned a 91 point score and BEST BUY from Wine Enthusiast  with Roger Voss describing it as “a bold, powerful wine, showing smooth, mature black-fruit flavors and rich tannins. It is soft, solid and powerfully built. Wood aging has given extra roundness and a touch of spice to the palate.”

 

Love the wines of Portuguese like we do?
Then mark your calendars for Wine Geek Week: Portugal Edition August 13-18, 2017 hosted at various locations in the Twin Cities, and featuring Portuguese wine specials at many great retailers and restaurants. Special guest Ryan Opaz of Catavino.net is helping to make this one of the premier wine events the Twin Cities has ever seen!

What is Wine Geek Week?
A full week of tastings, movies, events, lunches, trade seminars, dinners, and of course a Grand Tasting around the chosen topic, plus the events and classes coincide with retailers and restaurants having wine special deals and pricing of their own. It’s organized and designed by Twin Cities Wine Education in combination with special guest expert Ryan Opaz of Catavino.net.

What kind of events are happening?
We are most excited about are the Grand Tasting Monday August 14th featuring the best of Portugal with something for everybody at every price point. The Single Varieties of Vinho Verde Tasting and Class is also sure to be elucidating to those that can make it Wednesday August 16th as guests will walk away knowing all their is to know about this exceptional region.

For more details and ticketing information, hop over to event breakdown at Twin Cities Wine Education