On the April 5th, the city of Porto opened its doors to the Adegga group for the 1st edition of Porto WineMarket, having André Ribeirinho as cicerone, whom is by these days the main ambassador of Port Wine over borders, and the Porto Palácio Hotel has stage. Speaking of the space it’s impossible not to state the quality of it for this type of event, circulation was easy and the possibility of talking to the producers was too, as well as tasting and knowing the wines, however, it was hard to identify the producers at a distance during the periods of higher flow.
But now to the most important, the wines, we started our tasting with Niepoort, with the always tireless Paulo Silva showing some of the house references, like Dócil, white Redoma, an excellent red Redoma 2006, the amazing 2011 Batuta and a great 2010 Omlet, wine produced in partnership with Telmo Rodriguez, a wine without extraction, with an out of series elegance. Highlight also to Baga, which Dirk Niepoort had brought the freshly prepared batch and promises another excellent edition of this Bairrada wine.
Niepoort
Still with the Niepoort Projects we can also refer Susana Esteban, the most portuguese spanish woman of the wine world, whom, after Douro, has been transforming the the wine making in Alentejo, where the spotlight goes to the first edition of Aventura Branco 2013, mineral, fresh, with body and dry ending, that will certainly be one of the great whites of Alentejo. And, of course, 2011 Procura, critically acclaimed, and by anyone with good taste, a live wine with strength, elegant tannins and complexity of flavor.
Continuing at Alentejo, was the time to taste the wines of Miguel de Sousa Otto at Herdade do Vau, the Riso, where the 2013 white stands out with an interesting presence of Alvarinho, and the 2011 red Reserva, a great wine, of Gastronomic character, complex and elegant with dark fruit, floral notes and an excellent ending.
Miguel de Sousa Otto
From Alentejo there was also time to taste the wines of João Portugal Ramos and the very Portuguese wines of Paulo Laureano, with clear highlight to the recovery of Tinta Grossa, an old caste from Vidigueira that produces a wine we could call exotic.
Ricardo Bernardo, oenophile and photographer in service
Now passing to the other end of the country, the presence of Luís Cerdeira, from Quinta do Soalheiro, stands out, he not only produces the best Alvarinhos in the country, but also the best white, the claimed Primeiras Vinhas. There was time for a little conversation and a glass of his sparkling rosé. Very good.
Soalheiro
On the border between Minho and Douro, Toby Smith’s Covela deserves all the attention these days, excellent whites and great reds, with 2004 Colheita Selecionada with a brilliant acidity.
Quinta da Covela
Back to Douro, after the Niepoort wines, we went to Quinta Vale Dona Maria ones, with the presentation in charge of Joana Pinhão, the oenophile in service, through a horizontal taste of the house wines it’s impossible to resist to Quinta Vale Dona Maria 2011, very concentrated fruit, elegant tannins in a wine of great balance and power.
Quinta Vale D. Maria
We tasted some other wines and there were lots of producers (more than 40 total) deserving a visit, but the time was short and the great moment of the day was waiting at the VIP Lounge of Porto Palácio, the Premium Room of Porto WineMarket.
The main vocation of this room is the Port wine, chosen by André Ribeirinho and to mark the first edition of this event at Porto, went beyond a few “good” wines. The presence of the historical Vintage Noval from 1964, indescribable and a truly unique experience. The 1942 Niepoort Vintage (unfortunately I didn’t get to taste it), or the 1900 Niepoort, a wine that goes way far than its 114 years, another great, great experience. Highlight also for Noval Colheita ’68.
André Ribeirinho
Premium Room
This Porto WineMarket was more than a wine tasting, it was a great event with Adegga’s seal, a unique experience of sharing and learning between friends and professionals united by the same passion. To those who missed this edition, you can always wait for 2015 or travel to Lisbon on the 5th of July.
You can see more pictures of the event at page of Ricardo Bernardo
Photos: Flavors & Senses and Ricardo Bernardo for Adegga