WINE PARIS 2026: WINES of PORTUGAL

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We began our discovery with a masterclass on the little-known and rare grape varieties of this fabulous and highly contrasting country.

The white wine from the Douro, Andreza and its single grape variety Codega do Larinho 2024, opened the proceedings to refresh our taste buds. Then came Bacalhôa Vinhas Velhas and the white grape variety Bical 2022 in Bairrada, with its hydrocarbon and saline notes, as well as Dona Fatima and its Jamal 2022 – Cheileros in Lisbon aera, where the saline complexity and dried fruit excited our palates, followed by Quinta de Sao Sebastiao and its more sensual Cercial 2020 from the same region.

The reds from Arvad Negra in the Algarve and its Mole Red 2024 grape variety, light in color with an ashy aroma; and Herdade de Sao Miguel de Mae with the Trincadeira 2023 grape variety in Alentejo, a rich, fresh, airy juice in a style that is “Burgundian!”

The 2023 track “Unity Gain” by English artist Scrimshire reflects rather well the spirit of this last wine from the same vintage, with its soaring layers of keyboards and rhythmic cadence reminiscent of cinematic orchestration.

Afterwards, accompanied by Sofia Salvador and Emilie Loubié, I was able to taste some fine wines such as the Vinhos Verdos from Quinta de Montinho – Herança Indivisa “Loureiro” 2023 to refresh the palate, and Quinta de Calaçada Reserva “Alvarinho” 2023, which is more mineral.

The latter is a blend of the two previous grape varieties, the shimmering Aveleda 2024 with mandarin citrus notes.

Quinta de Chocopalha “Arinto” 2022 is a dry white wine with a vibrant complexity of citrus fruits such as lime, minerality, and invigorating freshness.

The white wine from Herdade de Rocim – Olho de Mocho, made from the Antão Vaz grape variety in Vidigueira in the Alentejo region, is smoother but with a beautiful flinty tension.

In red (Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Baga on schist and granite), Mainova 2022 in Alentejo is a textured wine with lively, fleshy red fruits (strawberry, blackberry, cherry) and a hint of menthol.

Henry Franklin, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad – Jazz is Dead “Karibu” 2022 “drop,” like the textured wine, with its killer double bass on stage in a streamlined jazz arrangement, a rich and harmonious modern composition.

The reds Textura de Estrela “Jaen” Dao 2022 on granite and Manoella 2023 (Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Francisca) in the Douro delighted me with their aromatic intensity, as agile as an athlete at the last Olympic Games, at a very reasonable price.

Legendary American composer and singer Brian Jackson recorded a beautiful opus with “Little Orphan Boy” in 2022, which should delight tasters of this august Textura de Estrela “Jaen” Dao 2022 with its lively aromatic vibration.

Brazilian artist Tagua Tagua, with his refreshing song “Brisa” in 2023, embraces the brilliance and modern style of Manoella 2023 red nectar.

This kaleidoscope makes you want to visit these estates and learn more about the rich wine culture of these lush regions.