Last Thursday night I was not on my usual perch watching the (second) most amazing ALCS comeback in history. “Why not?”, you ask, shocked this Red Sox fan was elsewhere…. I was attending an intimate wine dinner at (the new) L’Espalier hosted by ViniPortugal.

I would not have traded the opportunity for one moment. Much like the Red Sox game, I had my own uniquely amazing evening, learning more about the ‘nerdier’ side of Portuguese oenology, tasting an array of wines and bending the ear of Portugal’s most revered (and perhaps most delightful) winemaker.

Many Americans think of Portuguese wines (beyond Port) simply as bargain, quaffing wines. Not bad, but not necessarily noteworthy or particularly complex either.  When I received my invitation to last week’s event, I was thrilled at the opportunity to meet Nuno Cancela de Bareu, Portugal’s leading Winemaker and Consultant, and learn more about what ViniPortugal is up to these days. My experience (re)tasting about 12 wines – red, white, sparkling and dessert – only reconfirmed what I’ve known for sometime: Portuguese wines are worth seeking out.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

Nuno Cancela de Abreu is perhaps Portugal’s primary, modern-day wine pioneer. He studied in both Portugal and France, ultimately receiving his degree in viticulture and enology from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia in Lisbon. He spent six years in the Duoro region, influencing the modern production of Port and Douro wines. Next, he planted a new vineyard on family land in the Dao and, as a result, launched two brands (Quinta da Giesta and Quinta Fonte do Ouro). Somehow he simultaneously managed Quinta da Romeira in the Bucelas region and single-handedly brought the wonderfully floral, minerally and fruity indigenous grape Arinto into its own. Thereafter he revolutionized Quinta da Alorna’s operation in the Ribatejo region. Nuno’s passion is to transform Portuguese wines (and their reputation) into fine, internationally recognized and coveted selections. And, in my humble opinion, the world should be grateful for it! He is well on his way.

Nuno was asked to introduce the group to several of his favorite Portuguese selections – not necessarily his own wines – available in the Boston market. The list of wines on offer are too long to discuss in great detail in this single post, so I’ll simply list a few now and then spend some time here and there over the next months talking about various offerings in greater detail. Are you ready?

Whites

’07 Quinta de Catralvos Lisa (a lovely, fleshy, floral and clean Moscatel)

’07 Deu la Deu (aka “Muros Antigos” in Boston) Alvarinho (same as Albarino in Spain – wonderfully rich peaches and apricots, with a touch of bite)

’07 Quinta da Murta Arinto (it says Bucelas, the region, on the label, but this is 100% intensely floral and minerally Arinto – don’t be confused!)

Reds

’04 Casa de Santar Rsv  (a blend of Castelao, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca – soft, fine tannins and redberry fruits)

’06 Quinta do Coa ( a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Roriz (Tempranillo) and Touriga Franca – one I had forgotten how much I enjoy, offering great floral aromas, dark fruits, some soft, caramel oak flavors and terrific spice)

’05 Cartuxa Rsv (Trincadeira, Aragonez and Alfrocheiro – this is a big food wine, offering fabulous dried plumb and raisin fruit aromas and flavors, spice and a subtle, lasting finish)

Bubbly

’07 Luis Pato Espumate Rose (this is 100% Baga, gently bubbly raspberries and strawberries!)

Dessert

Andresen 20 Yr. Tawny Port (who doesn’t want hazelnuts, toffee and dried fruit flavors from their Tawny?!)

At the dinner Nuno gave us a rundown on the various regions in Portugal, how the climate and terroir impact the viticultural conditions that allow certain varietals to thrive, et. al. (Yes, I was in my happy place, gleefully unaware what was happening up the street at Fenway!) The thing to remember is Portuguese wines are made of native grape varietals – like those outlined above – you’ve likely never heard of. Don’t think of that as intimidating or too foreign. Winemakers are following Nuno’s lead, making these foreign-sounding wines approachable in the way they taste. The fact that our economy is so tough right now and the price of these wines is still amazingly “right” for the time being makes this a great place to explore. Much like the Languedoc in France offers a better price point for winelovers of the Southern Rhone (because these wines are less sought given historical winemaking practices), Portugal offers value wines that are complex, interesting and – delicious!

At the start of the evening Marcio Ferreira of ViniPortugal told us his organization’s goal is to reinforce a favorable image of Portuguese wines. In speaking with Nuno, I learned just how tightly-knit their community is; fortunately, innovation, forsight and exceptional winemaking like Nuno’s makes Marcio’s job that much easier. They are all in it together!

Want to see for yourself? Head over to the Harvard Club tomorrow night and then report back your own findings by commenting below!

Portugal as a wine-making country is just cool. First off, this little(ish) country west of Spain often gets recognition for its solid wines retailing for oh-so-delightfully low prices. Strangely, as the Euro creeps up and up, Portuguese daily sipping wine prices are staying pretty stable, too. Saude! Second, it sports the oldest appellation system in the world, with recognition for quality wine-producing in the Douro Valley beating France out by 200 years. Third, while everyone and their global brothers and sisters were trying to ‘compete’ with the French by cultivating native French varietals, Portugal stuck to its guns and continued to cultivate native varietals like Touriga Nacional (grape used in Port), Touriga Franca, Tinto Cao and Trincadeira, to name a few. Overtime the Portuguese wine-making community discovered many of its native varietals could be made into solid table wines, rather than just fortified, dessert wines. And here we are in 2008 benefiting left and right….

One of my go-to wines this summer is the 2007 Quinta da Alorna Arintho. Never heard of Arintho? Not to worry! You’re in good company. And fortunately you have me here at Pour Favor to give you the skinny on this versatile, food-friendly, palate-loving white wine.

The ‘experts’ say (and I have a hard time not agreeing) Arintho is one of the varietals in Portugal with a large potential for the production of quality wine. The grape originates from Bucelas, not too far from the capitol city of Lisbon. The Quinta da Alorna take is made from 100% Arintho grapes, so you’re getting as authentic an experience as you can, particularly if this is your first try of Arintho. The nose is immediately enticing. It delivers fresh and fruity flavors as soon as you dive in, too. It’s tough to put your finger on, admittedly, but I always get pear, white peaches and wet stones. My fellow sipping companion last night picked out cantelope (I got noth’n on that one), grapefruit, and lychee fruit (good call). The palate is fairly weighty – perhaps best described as “creamy, citrus goodness” – with flavors of mineral, pink grapefruit and a touch of pear nectar.

Suffice to say, if you’ve been enjoying your Vinho Verde, dole out the extra $2 and give yourself a real Portuguese treat! Find yourself the Quinta da Alorna Arintho. And quickly. I’m liable to scour the city for every remaining bottle.

What’s your Portuguese go-to white this summer?