I was asked by the organisers of the Living in Portugal roadshow that took place in the USA last week to help source and select some good Portuguese wines for tasting sessions held after each seminar.
Having done this before, I can say that it is a challenge, but Portuguese wines are slowly becoming more popular in the USA as the country grows in popularity both for holidaymakers and those looking to move to Portugal.
One wine that stood out amongst the wines selected is this superb red, which can also be found at Apolónia supermarket here in the Algarve, priced at €18.97.
The price in the USA including corkage, tax and service charged by the hotel worked out at over 90 dollars, but that’s another story!
The visitors to the first event of the roadshow, at the W Hotel in Austin Texas, were treated to a taste of this Aldeia de Cima red from the Alentejo. I had a chance to visit this wine estate (not open to the public) last year and was very impressed. It belongs to Luísa Amorim of the cork dynasty family who runs the wine side of the family business, with estates elsewhere in Portugal, but this is her private project.
Set in rolling hills, an unusual landscape for the Lower Alentejo, the terroir allows for cooler nights than the surrounding plains.
Herdade Aldeia de Cima only produces premium wines and this Reserva red is the entry-level label. This is a wine of finesse and elegant structure, made from a blend of Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet and Aragonez with minimal oak work. There is a great purity of fruit with supple tannins and a long dry finish.
