“Best known for intense, impressive, and age-worthy fortified wines, Portugal relies almost
exclusively on its many indigenous grape varieties. Bordering Spain to its north and east, and
the Atlantic Ocean on its west and south coasts, this is a land where tradition reigns supreme,
due to its relative geographical and, for much of the 20th century, political isolation. A long and
narrow but small country, Portugal claims considerable diversity in climate and wine styles, with
milder weather in the north and significantly more rainfall near the coast.
While Port (named after its city of Oporto on the Atlantic Coast at the end of the Douro Valley),
made Portugal famous, Portugal is also an excellent source of dry red and white wines of
various styles.
The Douro Valley produces full-bodied and concentrated dry red wines made from the same set
of grape varieties used for Port, which include Touriga Nacional , Tinta Roriz
(Spain’s Tempranillo), Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão, among a long list of others
in minor proportions.
Other dry wines include the tart, slightly effervescent Vinho Verde white wine, made in the north,
and the bright, elegant reds and whites of the Dão as well as the bold, and fruit-driven reds and
whites of the southern, Alentejo .
The nation’s other important fortified wine, Madeira, is produced on the eponymous island off
the North African coast.”
1st Course
Portuguese Stewed Squid with Shrimp
Wine-Beyra Bianco, Douro Portugal
““Intense aroma, fresh and very elegant, with citric notes in harmony with very discreet floral
notes. In the mouth it is very fresh with volume provided by contact and lifting of the fine lees
until bottling.”
2nd Course
Piri Piri Chicken
Wine-Beyra Tinto, Beira Interior Portugal
“Beyra tinto offers an unoaked expression of crunchy berry fruit and spice, with super
acidity. Less on tannin, more on flavour.”
Entrée
Pork Belly Leitão Style
Wine-Ruelas Reserve Red, Lisbon Portugal
“Pomegranate colored wine, with aromas of red fruits. In the mouth it is smooth and rounded
with balanced acidity and with ripe and elegant tannins.”
Dessert
Pastel de Nata
Custard Tart
$45 per person