Tagged: Portuguese wine

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Food and drink pairings with Portuguese wines | Examiner.com

Thanks to Examiner.com for this great article! This is just in time for the Holidays! Enjoy everyone!

Food-and-drink pairings with Portuguese wines | Examiner.com.

Portuguese wines come in a wide range–from highly structured “big” reds to lighter-bodied varieties, and from crisp, slightly effervescent whites to dense, just-sweet-enough whites and both tawny and ruby Ports. Below is a brief primer on which types to pair with various foods.

Fine, expensive reds may be very tannic when young, and all reds taste softer and less tannic as they age. Among Portugal’s most tannic winds are the classic reds of Bairrada and Douro, and they will pair well with game, meaty stews and other richly sauced meets. By the way, FYI here’s a really good explanation of the difference between tannins and acidity in wines.

If you prefer to drink red wine even with white meats, a softer or lighter-bodied wine can be paired with them and with most simple red meat dishes. In this instance a robust and or tannic red wine may overpower the flavors of these understated dishes. Try a smooth red Alentejo, light, easy-going Ribatejo red, an elegant Palmela, Algarve or Alenquer, a light red from Obidos, or a mature red from almost any of the regions. The fresh acidity of a red Dao can cut through the richness of some meat dishes.

Robust, gutsy reds from the Douro, Dao, Bairrada and Alentejo can overpower delicate food flavors. Powerful food flavors can completely mask the taste of gentle white wines; and oak-aged wines, red or white, can also dominate a soft subtle dish.

Cheeses come in many guises; their flavors vary greatly. Many individual cheeses clash with individual wines. But some wine and cheese matches are divine. And the best cheese wines are just as likely to be dry or sweet, white or red, Port or Madeira. Try some of these combinations:

White Vinho Verde – with Thai roast duck curry, smoked mackerel, salads, hummus
Red Vinho Verde – with grilled sardines
Bairrada/Baga – with fresh tuna, roast partridge, chili con Carney, soft goat cheese
Aragonez – with feijoada (bean stew) or cassoulet, Gorgonzola, thyme-flavored dishes, lamb, liver
Red Dao – with pork, roast suckling pig, kidneys, presunto (cured ham)
Un-oaked or subtly oaked Touriga Nacional – with beef
Setubal – (a fortified muscatel) with tiramisu, Christmas pudding/fruitcake, lemon tart
Douro red – with fresh goat’s cheese, aged Gouda, Stilton
Bual Madeira – with Roquefort, Stilton, Gjetost (a firm, brown Norwegian goat’s milk cheese)
10-year-old tawny Port – with Queijo da Serra (a soft, runny Portuguese cheese-in-a-rind from Serra), Stilton, walnuts
Ruby or vintage Port – with Queijo da Serra

Photo Gallery / Recipes

Wines of Portugal – 10 Chefs 10 Portuguese Wineries – May – Sirio Restaurant – Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Branco 2012

Here is the recipe for May in the 10 Chefs 10 Portuguese Wineries series from Wines of Portugal.

Wines of Portugal will announce new chef collaborations and pairings (using the hashtag #10Chefs) throughout the year from now through January on Wines of Portugal’s Twitter (@WPTUSA), U.S. Facebook page, and program page. The printed recipe guide featuring all ten chef collaborations will be available by the end of the year at all Wines of Portugal events around the country and as a special giveaway to Facebook fans. credits: http://www.winesofportugal.com/us/food-and-wine/10-chefs-10-wineries/

 

Month of May
Sirio – New York City
Chef Massimo Bebber

Sirio Ristorante, located at The Pierre Hotel, offers contemporary interpretations of traditional Italian dishes inspired by the Tuscan standards of Maccioni’s youth served in a beautiful and engaging environment. The menu offers a variety of pastas and appetizers to simple and robust entrees. With its Fellini-esque décor, an emphasis on hospitality, and one of the most impressive selections of Italian vintages in New York, Sirio Ristorante brings old-time Italy to New York City.

“Capesante Salsa Al Tartufo Nero”
(Scallops with Black Truffle Sauce)

1 ¼ Pounds SEA SCALLOPS
½ POUND CHANTARELLE MUSHROOMS
1 SPANISH ONION
7 PARSNIPS
1 CARROT
5 BABY ARTICHOKES
1 ¾ Ounces CHOPPED BLACK TRUFFLE
1 Cup MILK
VEGETABLE OIL
VEAL SAUCE
SALT
BLACK PEPPER
OLIVE OIL
CANOLA OIL
BUTTER
MICRO GREEN SALAD

 

ARTICHOKE CHIPS:
Clean artichokes, by removing the outer leaves and removing the choke in the middle of the artichoke. Place artichokes in lemon flavored water, once artichokes are all clean, slice them thinly on a Japanese Madeleine and fry in oil at 350 degrees until golden brown. Season with salt once removed from fryer.

PARSNIP PUREE:
In a large size pot add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and start sweating the onion, add a pinch of salt and sweat with no color. Next add the chopped parsnip, mixed together and then add the milk and water to cover. Season lightly with salt. Cook for 45 minute and then put into a blender and blend until smooth.

FOR PLATING:
In a medium size sauté pan, heat up 1 teaspoon of canola oil. Season scallop liberally with salt and pepper and begin to sear each scallop until golden brown and cooked thru.
Remove scallops from pan place on a plate for them to rest. In the same pan as cooking the scallops, remove some oil and any debris left over, quickly sauté chanterelle for 2 mins until fork tender. Remove the mushrooms from pan and keep in a warm place. Place warm puree in middle of plate and move the puree towards the outside of the plate keeping a visible circle. Place scallops in the middle of the puree, drizzle the heated veal jus or brown sauce around and on top of the scallops. Garnish the plate with shaved carrot, fried artichokes and sautéed mushrooms. Decorate with micro herbs and edible flowers. credits: http://www.winesofportugal.com/us/food-and-wine/10-chefs-10-wineries/sirio/recipe/

 

Photo Gallery / Video Collection

Wines of Portugal | A world of difference | News article | 50 Great Portuguese Wines by Joshua Greene revealed

Wines of Portugal | A world of difference | News article | 50 Great Portuguese Wines by Joshua Greene revealed.

Here is the article from Wines of Portugal featuring the 50 Great Wines of Portugal list by Joshua Greene.

Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits editor, unveiled his favorite Portuguese wines.

Today the 50 Great Portuguese wines were revealed at New York Public Library by Joshua Greene. The Portuguese wine’s quality and diversity enchanted the wine critic, who confessed being surprised with the Portuguese wine sector transformation during the last decade. To achieve a 50 Great list, Joshua Greene tasted 600 Portuguese wines and visited Portugal several times (fact that reignited his passion for Portugal).

Photo credit: http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/pages/aboutus_critics.html

Joshua Greene was the second wine personality chosen by ViniPortugal to select 50 Great Portuguese wines for the U.S., after the success of the 50 Great Wines by Doug Frost, Master of Wine and Master Sommelier, in 2013. Joshua Greene is a Portuguese wine connoisseur: he tastes Portuguese wines for over 25 years and visited the country many times.

ViniPortugal aims to approach Portuguese wines to U.S. wine consumers and opinion leaders with the 50 Great events, showing the quality of Portuguese wines available in this market.

“What makes the difference is the concentration of diverse terroirs, climates and grape varieties that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. It’s a small country, but a world of diversity. The wine sector evolution has been amazing. I hope U.S. market will enjoy my selection, which was based on the distinctive and traditional character of Portuguese wines. I hope wine consumers taste and discover the Portuguese wine charm. I believe they will.”
Article, photos and resources from: (http://www.winesofportugal.info/pagina.php?codNode=123481)

50 Great Portuguese Wines 2013

Adriano Ramos Pinto, Collection 2009, red, Douro
Aliança, Quinta da Dôna 2009, red, Bairrada
Anselmo Mendes Vinhos, Contacto 2012, white, Vinho Verde
Casa de Mouraz, Encruzado 2012, white, Dão
Casa de Mouraz, Elfa 2010, red, Dão
Casca Wines, Monte Cascas Malvasia 2011, White, Colares
Duorum Vinhos, Reserva Vinhas Velhas 2009, red, Douro
Enoport United Wines, Quinta do Boição Reserva 2012, white, Bucelas
Folias de Baco, Olho no Pé Grande Reserva 2008, red, Douro
Fonseca Porto Vintage 2011
FTP Vinhos, Quinta do Serrado Reserva 2009, red, Dão
Herdade de Vale Barqueiros Reserva 2008, red, Alentejo
Herdade do Esporão Reserva 2010, red, Alentejo
Herdade do Esporão Verdelho 2012, white, Alentejo
IdealDrinks, Eminência 2010, white, Vinho Verde
João Brito e Cunha, Quinta de S. José Touriga Nacional 2011, red, Douro
Jorge Moreira, Poeira 2010, red, Douro
Jose Maria da Fonseca, Domingo Soares Franco Colecção Privada Moscatel Roxo 2012, P. de Setúbal
Luís Pato, Vinha Pan, 2009, Bairrada
Lusovini, Pedra Cancela Seleção do Énologo 2010, red, Dão
Madeira Wine Company, Blandy’s Colheita Bual 1996, Madeira
Monte da Ravasqueira, Vinha das Romãs 2010, red, Alentejo
Muxagat 2011, red, Douro
Niepoort Vinhos, Batuta 2010, red, Douro
Niepoort Vinhos, Porto Vintage 2011, Douro
Quinta da Alorna, Portal da Águia 2009, red, Tejo
Quinta da Lixa, Aromas das Castas Alvarinho Trajadura 2012, white, Vinho Verde
Quinta da Plansel, Marquês de Montemor Colheita Seleccionada Touriga Franca 2010, red, Alentejo
Quinta da Ponte Pedrinha Vinhas Velhas 2007, red, Dão
Quinta da Sequeira Reserva 2008, red, Douro
Quinta das Bágeiras Garrafeira 2009, red, Bairrada
Quinta das Bágeiras Garrafeira 2004, white, Bairrada
Quinta de Chocapalha Arinto 2011, white, Lisboa
Quinta de Chocapalha 2008, red, Lisboa
Quinta de Gomariz Avesso 2012, white, Vinho Verde
Quinta de Paços Casa do Capitão-mor 2011, white, Vinho Verde
Quinta do Noval 2008, red, Douro
Quinta do Pinto Estate Collection 2011, red, Alenquer
Quinta do Portal Reserva 2008, red, Douro
Quinta do Sagrado, Mutante 2007, red, Douro
Quinta Seara d’Ordens TalentVs Grande Escolha 2010, red, Douro
Rui Reguinga Enologia, Terrenus 2011, Alentejo
Secret Spot Wines, Vale da Poupa Moscatel Galego 2012, white, Douro
Soalheiro Alvarinho 2012, white, Vinho Verde
Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2012, white, Vinho Verde
Sogevinus Fine Wines, Burmester Tordiz 40 anos, Porto Tawny
Solar das Bouças Loureiro 2012, white, Vinho Verde
Symington Family Estates, Graham’s Single Harvest 1969, Porto Tawny
Vidigal Wines, Brutalis 2010,red, Lisboa
Wine & Soul, Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas 2010, red, Douro