Wine enthusiasts the world over are well aware of Portugal’s fortified wines from the historic city of Oporto — and eponymously labeled as “Port.” There’s ruby, tawny (click here to learn the difference between ruby and tawny port!), white Port, rose, aged tawnies, late-bottled vintage (LBV), and the holy grail highly sought-after by collectors, vintage Port. These wines are generally on the sweeter side and tend to be enjoyed on their own, after dinner. But did you know that there are also non-fortified, dry wines from Portugal?
It’s true! Not only do “regular” dry Portuguese wines exist, but there are many high-quality examples that range from good to outstanding — even a few considered world-class. Non-fortified wines have been made in Portugal and enjoyed by the locals for centuries, with very few making it out of the country. Perhaps there wasn’t enough to share, maybe the interest in fortified Port wines caused the dry wines to seem less exciting, or maybe the Portuguese wanted to keep the quality of their local wines a secret from the rest of us. Whatever the reason, the secret is now out — and bottles making it all the way to the United States are likely to be very good.
Toward that, two white wines and two red wines recently arrived from Portugal — and they are excellent. But don’t take it from me — consider the comments from world-renown critic James Suckling:
Quinta da Pedra Graca da Pedra Alvarinho 2022
Lovely fresh fruits like pears and peaches on the nose, with some seashell. It’s medium-bodied and saline with a clean, balanced finish. Drink now. 90 points.
Quinta da Pedra Milagres Alvarinho 2019
A fresh alvarinho showing some umami character. Notes of pineapple, seashells, preserved lemons and green olives with a medium to full body and a saline finish. Drink now. 91 points.
Principal CalCariO 2012
Raspberries, dried herbs, fig and graphite on the nose of this juicy and mellow red. It’s medium- to full-bodied with silky tannins and excellent freshness. Drink now or hold. 92 points.
Principal Grande Reserva 2013
This is showing lovely berry-fruit character like mulberries and blackcurrants alongside coffee beans, chili-chocolate and wet earth. It’s medium-bodied, supple and well integrated with softened tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional and Merlot. Drink now or hold. 93 points.
These Portuguese wines just landed in the United States earlier this fall, and finding their way to retail shelves and restaurants across the country. Keep an eye out for them, and if you see them, give them a try. You’ll be stunned by the price-to-quality ratio.
