Portuguese wines were the highlight of the latest edition of Italian magazine Spirito diVino, which listed the country’s top-50 “high-quality wines”.
After tasting over 200 wines, the magazine chose its favourites in the wine regions of Douro, Vinho Verde, Bairrada, Dão e Beira, Ribatejo and the Alentejo. The Algarve did not get a mention.
In the Douro region, the Chyseia 2012 produced by Prats & Symington was the top-voted wine followed by Vinha da Francisca 2012 by Quinta Vale Dona Maria.
Reserva Alvarinho 2013 (Quinta do Soalheiro) and Alvarinho 2013 (Quinta da Pedra) were named the best ‘Vinho Verde wines’, while in Bairrada it was the Principal Rosé Tête de Cuvée 2012 and Principal Grande Reserva 2011 (Colinas de São Lourenço) that the jury liked the most.
Garrafeira Old Wines 2009 (Quinta da Falorca) was named the top Dão e Beira wine followed by Dom Bella Pinot Noir 2012 (Quinta de Bella Encosta), and in the Ribatejo the Italian magazine was most impressed by the Trincadeira Preta Vinhas Velhas 2011 (Casa Cadaval) and Tejo 2008 (Quinta do Alqueve).
Finally, the two top wines in the Alentejo have the same name – Reserva 2011 – but are produced by different vineyards, Herdade dos Grous and Herdade São Miguel.
The wines were tasted by three Spirito diVino specialists who give in-depth views on the characteristics of each Portuguese wine region over a 40-page spread.
They also speak of Portugal’s culture and history, and list a number of restaurants and hotels in Douro, Porto, Lisbon, Alentejo, Algarve and Madeira.
