I do hope it drinks as well as the get-up Phil.
We do import wine from Portugal from the Guedes family-owned company -
Sogrape Vinhos that are famous for Mateus Rose (most of our imports), vinho verde (our next biggest category), but also own Sandeman Port (world-wide brand leader) and Offley Port (brand-leader in Portugal). They produce some 70% of the wines in volume of Portugal and thus have been able to compete world-wide with their more mass-market offerings.
The main disadvantage that Portuguese wine has in an age of more and more varietal wines being produced; is varietals that have been in many cases developed for the unique climatic conditions that appertain on that end of the peninsular. Also, the wines tended to be developed for local tastes and food, oily sardines and pork especially, thus the reds were slightly acidic (to cut the fat!) and the whites often sweetened.
The main export markets of old were mainly former Portuguese colonies.
Thus, out of the long list of grape typess - Alvarinho and Loureiro are worth watching out for and whilst the Dao region is famous for quality reds, there are some interesting wines also coming out of the Duoro; when the port wine grape growers can be torn away from their core activity.
The Sogrape reds I like are, Reserva Dão, Dão;
Quinta dos Carvalhais Tinta Roriz, Dão;
Quinta dos Carvalhais Touriga Nacional, Dão.
I am still not that keen on most of the (Portuguese) whites, but on a hot day at the beach I do like a good Vinho Verde - an excellent refreshing quaffing wine.
