Tasting wines from Portugal and it’s not Port!

It’s not often you have the opportunity to taste a range of interesting wines from Portugal that’s not Port. So when I found out there was a tasting at Swanbourne Cellars purely focused on the wines from this country, I made sure I booked my place! For just $15, the tasting was a bargain. We were taken through the tasting including the history of wine making in Portugal by vintage winemaker at Esporao, Michael Wren.  Esporao is a well-known winery winning Portugese Winery of the Year 2012.

Portuguese tasting at Swanbourne Cellars

When people think of Portugal, they automatically think Port from the Douro Valley. But Portugal is starting to become more well-known for its wines. From the Douro Valley, these red wines tend to be made from Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz (which is Spain’s Tempranillo). Portugal actually produces wines from all over the country, from 15 regions. For more information about the world of Portuguese wines, check out my latest blog post here on gltobaltravelhunter.com/theres-more-to-portugal-than-port

At the tasting we tried the below wines:
1. 2011 Flor do Crasto Branco from the Douro Valley, $24.99
2. 2009 Monte Velho Branco from Alentejo, $25.99
3. 2011 Muros Antigos Loureiro from Vinho Verde, $29.99
4. 2010 Esporao Reserva Branco from Alentejo, $43.99
5. 2010 Flor do Crasto Tinto from the Douro Valley, $24.99
6. 2009 Monte Velho Tinto from Alentejo, $25,99
7. 2009 Assobio from the Douro Valley, $34.99
8. 2008 Esporao Reserva from Alentejo, $64.99
9. Malgalhaes Special Reserve Ruby, $57.99