Do you agree with Tim Atkin? - [London - Wed 15th February]

[Mario Ferreira]

More Info from ICEP-London ........ /Mario.
DO YOU AGREE WITH TIM ATKIN?

Taste Tim's choice of Portugal's 50 Great Wines
on Wednesday 15th February in the Ambassador's Residence,
Belgrave Square, London


As the recipient of the 2005 Wines of Portugal Award for journalism Tim Atkin has been invited to make a personal selection of his much-loved Portuguese wines. Portugal is one of Tim’s favourite wine producing countries and the wines he has chosen come from all over Portugal. You will find wines from most of the country’s star names as well as a few that will be unfamiliar. Prices vary considerably, from cheap and cheerful to fine wines, but all of the wines at this tasting are interesting. As Tim says, very few places can match the diversity of the Portuguese wine scene. This tasting is by invitation only. Contact Filipe Neves at Wines of Portugal for more information. [Email: filipe.neves@icep.pt]

[Mario Ferreira]

An introduction from Tim Atkin

One of the most pleasurable things about winning the 2005 Wines of Portugal Award for journalism was being asked to choose the wines for this year’s tasting. I try to get over to Portugal as often as I can to taste what’s on offer, but I’ve never sat down and tasted all of my favourites in one place on the same day. Now I can. Twice.

First of all, I should say that this is very much a personal selection. I should also point out that I could easily have chosen 100 wines from one of my favourite wine producing countries. Richard Mayson felt the same way last year, I know.

I decided that the fairest way to come up with 50 wines was to look at a broad selection of the leading Portuguese wines and taste them blind at the Portuguese Embassy in London, where Filipe Neves was an enormously helpful tracker down of bottles. I contacted two friends in Portugal (one a journalist, the other a producer) and asked them to recommend their favourite wines, too, so that I tasted as comprehensive a range as possible. The leading UK importers also sent in their top
wines.

I didn’t set out to cover all of the major wine regions or wine producers (in fact, I insisted that my choice be free of ‘political’ considerations), but it worked out that way. The regions that did best, unsurprisingly, were the Alentejo and the Douro, Portugal’s two best red wine areas, but Dão wasn’t far behind. Other than that, you’ll find wines from Beiras, Estremadura, Vinho Verde, Bairrada and the Setúbal Peninsula in today’s
tasting.

You’ll also find wines from most, if not all, of the country’s star names as well, I suspect, as a few that will be unfamiliar. Prices vary considerably, from cheap and cheerful to fine wines, but all of these wines are interesting. At least they are to me. Very few places can match the diversity of the Portuguese wine scene.

I am very excited about Portugal’s wine making potential. To me, the country has some of the most interesting indigenous grapes, as well as a group of winemakers that are expressing the best local terroirs with talent and conviction.

I hope you enjoy tasting the wines as much as I did selecting them.

Tim Atkin MW

[Mario Ferreira]

Welcome from The Ambassador of Portugal

I am delighted to welcome you to The Portuguese Embassy and to this very special tasting of 50 Great Portuguese Wines. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tim Atkin for accepting this challenge and to the team at Wines of Portugal for organising this splendid event.

I am sure you will enjoy the diversity of the wines Tim has chosen, and experience for yourselves some of the flavours and grape varieties that are unique to Portugal, and that make our wines so distinctive.

With best wishes

Fernando Andresen Guimarães

[Mario Ferreira]

Please note that all prices quoted in this brochure are recommended retail prices and therefore may differ by stockist.
________________________________

The wines, whites followed by reds, are listed alphabetically within their region

ALENTEJO

1. Esporão Reserve White, 2004 (W)
Main Grape Varieties: Arinto, Antão Vaz and Roupeiro.
Fermentation: 50% Barrel fermented.
Producer: Herdade do Esporão
Main UK Stockist: John E Fells, Portland Wine Company,
Cambridge Wine Merchants, SH Jones, St Martin Vintners, Bottle & Basket
Importer: John E Fells

2. Adega Coop. Borba Cinquentenário “Grande Escolha”, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Alicante Bouschet (30%) and Syrah (20%)
Producer: Adega Coop. Borba

3. Callabriga Alentejo Reserva Sogrape2003 (R)
£14.99
Main Grape Varieties: Tinta Roriz,Alfrocheiro
Producer: Sogrape (Vinhos) SA Importer: Stevens Garnier Ltd
Importer: Stevens Garnier

4. Cortes de Cima , Reserva, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Varieties: 42% Syrah, 39% Aragonez , 19% Touriga Nacional
Producer: Hans Kristian Jorgensen

5. Cortes de Cima, Touriga Nacional, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: 100% Touriga Nacional,
Touriga Nacional Trophy, IWC 2005
Producer: Hans Kristian Jorgensen

6. Dolium Reserva, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Grapes: Aragonez (85%), Cabernet Sauvignon (15%)
Producer: Eborae Vitis e Vinus

7. Herdade do Mouchão Tonel 3-4, 2001 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Alicante Bouschet
Producer: Vinhos de Cavaca Dourada

8. Herdade do Perdigão Reserva, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Grapes: Trincadeira (80%), Aragonez (15%),
Cabernet Sauvignon (5%)
Producer: Herdade do Perdigão

9. Herdade dos Grous Reserva, 2004 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional; Alicante Bouschet; Syrah.
23 French oak barrels
Producer: Herdade dos Grous

10. Malhadinha, 2003, (R)
Producer: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova

11. Marquês de Borba Reserva , 2003 (R)
£25.00
Main Grape Varieties: Trincadeira, Aragonês, Alicante Bouschet and
Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: J. Portugal Ramos Vinhos S.A.
Importer: Oakley Wine Agencies
Main UK Stockist: http://www.colnevalleywines.co.uk

12. Mouchão, 2000 (R)
£18.95
Main Grape Varieties: Alicante Bouschet/Trincadeira
Producer: Vinhos de Cavaca Dourada
Importer: Berry Bros & Rudd

13. Quinta do Mouro, 2002 (R)
£18.00
Main Grape Varieties: Aragonês, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional,
and Cabernet Sauvighon. 1 year barrel ageing
Producer: Miguel Viegas Louro
Importer: James Nicholson

14. Terra do Zambujeiro, 2001 (R)
£24.99
Producer: Quinta do Zambujeiro
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

BAIRRADA

15. Encontro 1, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties:
Producer: Dão Sul – Soc. Vitivinicola,SA
Importer: FWW Wines (U.K.) Ltd.
Main UK Stockist: FWW Wines U.K. Ltd; Atlântico U.K.

16. LOKAL calcário, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Baga
Producer: Filipa Pato
Importer: FWW
Main UK Stockist: FWW Wines

17. Qta Ribeinho Pé Franco 1995 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Baga
Producer: Luís Pato
Importer: Laymont & Shaw Ltd / Vinoceros

18. Vinha Pan 1995 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Baga
Producer: Luís Pato
Importer: Laymont & Shaw Ltd / Vinoceros
Main UK Stockists: Harrods

BEIRAS

19. Vinha Formal, 2004 (W)
Main Grape Varieties: Bical
Producer: Luís Pato
Importer: Laymont & Shaw Ltd / Vinoceros

20. Quinta de Foz de Arouce, Vinhas Velhas de Santa Maria, 2003 (R)
£15.00
Main Grape Varieties: Baga and Touriga Nacional
Producer: Quinta de Foz de Arouce / J Portugal Ramos
Importer: Oakley Wine Agencies
Main UK Stockist: http://www.colnevalleywines.co.uk

DÃO

21. Jaen, 2003 (R)
£14.99
Producer: Quinta das Maias
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

22. Quinta da Garrida Touriga Nacional, 2001 (R)
£13.49
Main Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional
Producer: Caves Aliança
Importer: Boutinot Ltd
Main UK Stockist: Independent Retailers

23. Quinta da Pellada 2003, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: 60% Touriga-Nacional and old vines
Producer: Álvaro Castro
Importer: Laymont and Shaw

24. Quinta da Pellada Carrossel, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: 100% Touriga Nacional
Producer: Alvaro Castro
Importer: Laymont and Shaw

25. Quinta de Cabriz – FOUR C, 2003 (R)
Producer: Dão Sul – Soc. Vitivinicola,SA
Main UK Stockist: FWW Wines U.K. Ltd; Atlântico U.K.

26. Quinta dos Roques Reserva, 2003 (R)
£18.99
Producer: Quinta dos Roques
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

27. Quinta Fonte do Ouro Touriga Nacional, 2000 (R)
£17.95
Producer: Quinta Fonte do Ouro
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

DOURO

28. Redoma Branco, 2004 (W)
£13.95
Producer: Niepoort Vinhos
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

29. Chryseia 2003, (R)
£29.99
Main Grape Varieties: Touriga Franca 60%, Touriga Nacional 35%, Tinto Cão 5%
Producer: Prats and Symington
Importer: John E Fells
Main UK Stockist: Hoults Wine Merchants, The Wine Society, Harrods, Nicholas Corke Fine Wines Ltd, Rackhams, Ratcliffe Wines, The Sunday Times Wine Club, Tanners Wines Ltd, Wimbledon Wines, Wright Wine Company, Noel Young Wines

30. Duas Quintas Reserva Especial, 2003 (R)
£25.00
A mixture of grape varieties from old vineyards at Quinta do Bom Retiro
Producer: Adriano Ramos Pinto – Vinhos, S.A.
Main UK Stockist: House of Fraser, Lay & Wheeler, Holland Park Wine Co
Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines Ltd

31. Escada d'Oro, 2003 (R)
£8.99
Producer: Quinta do Tedo
Main Grape Varieties: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Francesa
Importer: McKinley Vintners
Main UK Stockists: Discover Wine Cambridge; The Bristol Wine Company

32. Meandro do Vale Meao, 2003 (R)
£12.95
Producer: Quinta do Vale Meao
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

33. POEIRA, 2003 (R)
Producer: Jorge Nobre Moreira
Importer: Fields, Morris & Verdin

34. Quinta da Leda , 2003 (R)
£15.99
Producer: Sogrape
Importer: Berkmann Wine Cellars
Main UK Stockist: Berkmann Wine Cellars

35. Quinta das Tecedeiras, 2003 (R)
Producer: Dão Sul – Soc. Vitivinicola,SA
Main UK Stockist: FWW Wines UK Ltd; Atlântico U.K.
Importer: FWW Wines UK Ltd

36. Quinta de la Rosa Reserva, 2003 (R)
£21.00
Producer: Quinta de la Rosa
Importer: Fields, Morris & Verdin

37. Quinta do Vale Meao, 2003 (R)
£29.95
Producer: Quinta do Vale Meao
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

38. Quinta do Vallado Douro Red, 2003 (R)
£8.50
Main Grape Varieties: 30% old vineyards and 70 % young vineyards
Producer: Quinta do Vallado – Soc. Agrícola, Lda.
Importer: Bibendum
Main UK Stockist: Contact Bibendum

39. Quinta do Vallado Reserve Douro, 2003 (R)
£18.50
Main Grape Varieties: 70% very old vineyards and 30% T.Nacional (15 years old)
Producer: Quinta do Vallado – Soc. Agrícola, Lda.
Importer: Bibendum
Main UK Stockist: Contact Bibendum

40. Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro Red, 2003 (R)
£14.95
Main Grape Varieties: Over 30 different grape varieties in the blend
Producer: Lemos & van Zeller, Lda.
Wine makers: Sandra Tavares da Silva + Cristiano van Zeller.
Main UK Stockist: Various, mainly Corney & Barrow, Tanners,
Direct Wines (Laithwaites), The Wine Society, Lay & Wheeler

41. Redoma Tinto, 2002 (R)
£24.99
Producer: Niepoort Vinhos
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

ESTREMADURA

42. Grand’Arte, Touriga Nacional Special Selection, 2003 (R)
£12.95
Producer: DFJ Vinhos SA
Importer: D&F Wine Shippers

43. Quinta do Monte d’Oiro Aurius, 2002 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Syrah,
Petit Verdot; 18 months 100% new French oak
Producer: Quinta do Monte d’Oiro – José Bento dos Santos

44. Quinta do Monte d’Oiro Reserva, 2001 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: 96% Syrah, 4% Viognier; 24 months
100% new French oak (Seguin Moreau)
Producer: Quinta do Monte d’Oiro – José Bento dos Santos

MINHO (VINHO VERDE)

45. Alvarinho Soalheiro, 2005 (W)
£10.75
Producer: Quinta do Soalheiro
Importer: Raymond Reynolds
Main UK Stockist: Leading Independents

46. Quinta do Ameal - Loureiro, 2004 (W)
£8.40
Main Grape Varieties: 100% Loureiro
Producer: Pedro Araujo
Importer: Corney and Barrow

PALMELA

47. Leo d’Honor, 2003 (R)
Main Grape Varieties: 100% Castelão
Producer: Ermelinda do Rosário Pires Freitas
Main UK Stockist:

PENINSULA DE SETÚBAL

48. Terras do Pó, 2005 (W)
Main Grape Varieties: 100% Fernão Pires
Producer: Ermelinda do Rosário Pires Freitas

TERRAS DO SADO

49. Stella Blanco, 2005 (W)
£5.49
Main Grape Varieties: 100% Muscat. The 2004 was awarded a
Silver Medal at the Decanter WWA
Producer: Sto. Isidro de Pegoes
Importer: Hallgarten
Main UK Stockist: Averys

50. FSF Fernando Soares Franco, 2001 (R)
£12.99
Main Grape Varieties: Shiraz 52%; Trincadeira 36%; Tannat 12%
Producer: José Maria da Fonseca Vinhos S.A.
Importer: Harvey Miller Wine & Spirit Agencies
Main UK Stockist: Harvey Miller; Harris Fine Wines

Please note that all prices quoted in this brochure are recommended retail prices and therefore may differ by stockist.