Charlemagne Wine Club - 2003 Tastings

Monday 17th February 2003
Portugal with John Douglas
The wines made in Portugal have changed completely in style over the last ten years. The hard tannic style that had you feeling like chewing a plank is gone, replaced by the elements of fruit and spice in well balanced wines. These new wines have slowly but surely been making an impact on the UK market.
Regions such as Alentejo, Bairrada and even the Algarve where Sir Cliff Richard produces his Vida Nova, are raising the profile of Portuguese wines.
The ubiquitous grape names of Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot are not so familiar in Portugal. Instead it is varieties such as Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz which are the the secret behind some of the best wines in the world.
Portugal is one of the leading wine producers in the world but the domestic market is still its biggest customer, so comparatively small quantities are available to the export market.
John Douglas has been searching the country for some of the best examples of what Portugal can produce, especially for you.