Friday Wine Tasting 9/20

Wine Tasting 9/20 : Portugal

Come join us for a fabulous evening of wine tasting at The San Francisco Wine Trading Company on September 20th! Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking to have a good time, this event is perfect for you. Sample a variety of exquisite wines and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your palate and enjoy some delicious wines. See you there!

2022 Quinta de Soalheiro Granit $26.94

The first thing you see on the Quinta de Soalheiro website in large letters is "all about the minerality, alvarinho from the mountain". I don't know about you but my mouth is already watering. This is the grape alvarinho, also known as albarino, coming from the famous Monção e Melgaço region of Vino Verde in northern Portugal. Vino Verde sits right across the Minho River from Riax Baixas in Spain and produces light refreshing white wines. The wines from Vinho Verde are typically made from the grape loureiro, however, the Monção e Melgaço region is known for producing quality alvarinho. This is alvarinho fermented in in stainless steel at higher than normal temperatures to ensure that the minerality outshines the fruit. It is coming from high altitude vineyard sites, further accentuating the natural acidity and crispness.

2021 Aphros Loureiro $21.94

We are staying in Vinho Verde for this wine made from 100% loureiro, the classic grape of Vinho Verde production. Vinho Verde translates to "green wine" a reference to the lush climate and youthful wines. Aphros is a project led by Vasco Croft, a pioneer of biodynamic farming and winemaking in Portugal. The farm was abandoned and he resurrected it in 2004 with the idea of sustainable farming.

2020 Quinta do Javali Clos Fonte do Santo Tinto $34.94

This is such a delicious wine and unlike the typical full bodied reds found all over Portugal. This is a field blend of 33 indigenous Portuguese varietals. It is fermented in cement and goes through partial whole cluster fermentation, giving it a refreshing juicy flavor profile. Clos Fonte do Santo is the oldest vineyard with approximately 90 year old vines and sits right off the Douro river. It is farmed biodynamically and is situated on steep slopes at high elevation. This wine definitely could use a little chill and drinks best by the pool or in the sunshine.

2019 Mira do O Vidente Tinto $32.94

Now we are going to the Dao region which sits just south of Vinho Verde. This is a blend of Portuguese red varieties Jaen (also known as mencia in Spain), alfrocheiro, tinta pinheira and touriga nacional. It comes from a cool climate 500m in elevation from the Dao river on granite soils. The wines are made by Nuno Miro do O, who seeks to constantly perfect balance and harmony between nature and vines.

2019 Herdade do Mouchao Dom Rafael Tinto $19.94

Now onto Alentejo, a region in the southeast of Portugal on the border of southern Spain. Herdade do Mouchae makes all their wines the traditional way that winemaking has been done for over 100 years. The grapes are hand-picked, crushed by foot and fermented in open stone containers called lagares. This is a blend of aragonez (aka tempranillo), Castelão, alicante bouschet and trincadeira, the most prominent grape of Alentejo. It ages for 12 months in Portuguese and French barrel.

Quinta do Poço do Lobo Bairrada 1996 $62.94

Bairrada sits just west of Dao, with a more maritime climate due to its proximity to the Atlantic. The soil type is barros, or clay, and the grape baga grows extremely well. It is the main grape of Bairrada and is known for being full bodied. This is showing off full bodied wines with great amounts of age. In 2013, the owners of the estate decided to release back vintages of wines ranging from 1959-2000. They are currently the only producer in Portugal offering library wines of still wine commercially.

Host or Publisher SF Wine Trading Co.