Portuguese Wine Tasting: 5 men from Douro

Douro, an area known for port, has five families that are intent on making a splash with their wines. The Douro Boys came to Manhattan armed with their selections, spawned in the scenic terraced vineyards that tower over the Douro river. Old fashioned foot maceration is still in use for creating some of the wines, the preferred method for releasing the juices without smashing the pits. The tasting was quite educational, see the details below.

QUINTA DO CRASTO

I liked nearly all of the wines from this winemaker. Winemaker Miguel Roquette is holding my top taste of the event, Vinha Maria Teresa Quinta do Crasto 2009, one of only 90 bottles produced. It’s available in select restaurants around the city. If you see it on a menu, get it! Also worth mentioning, Quinto do Crasto Touriga Nacional (very soft, complex, deep) and Quinto do Crasto Reserva Old Vines 2009 (elegant).  There was also a very nice white on the scene, very sparkly, with a lot of bounce, Crasto 2010.

QUINTA DO VALE DONA MARIA

Winemaker Cristiano Van Zeller seen behind one of my faves: the Casa de Casal de Loivos 2009, which I described as, “super sweet nose, smooth, even, light, elegant, soft,” and similarly, the Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 2008, from the same vineyard.

NIEPOORT VINHOS

My favorite port of the tasting also had a super cool package. Porto Niepoort Vintage 2009. Very complex, very syrup-y. Charme 09 was one of the wines created by stomping. Complex, nice to drink, soft and round.

QUINTA DO VALLADO

Another fantastic port: More caramel than berry, clean, high-level, sophisicated. Vallado Adelaide Vintage Port 2009.

QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO

Super sweet, with a strong alcoholic feeling, my second favorite of the ports. Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Porto 2008.