The Washington Post Wine Club Quinta da Alorna Portal da Aguia Tinto The Washington Post Wine Club Quinta da Alorna Portal da Aguia Tinto

2009 Quinta da Alorna Portal da Aguia Tinto

Varietal
Variety
Red Blend
Vintage
Vintage
2009
Style
Style
Juicy
Region / Country
Region / Country
Tejo, Portugal
Portugal’s quality revolution means that it has become a treasure trove of delicious wines, like this spicy red made from local grapes.
$15.00 / each
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Inside Story
Portugal’s dry reds and whites have yet to become as trendy as, say, Argentina’s Malbecs or Germany’s Rieslings. That’s a shame because the country has become an exciting source of well-made wines that offer a compelling sense of place at prices that compete with bland industrial blends from better-known regions. This plump red from the emerging Tejo region is a case in point. Located northeast of Lisbon, Tejo has long churned out uninteresting bulk wine, much of it destined for Lisbon’s tabernas (taverns). But, like Portugal in general, Tejo has been reinvented by ambitious vintners in recent years.

Quinta da Alorna is a vast estate and palace that has been owned by the Lopo de Carvalho family for five generations. Although historic, it’s not stuck in the past: the winery’s focus on strict crop yields and modern methods, plus the talent of rising star winemaker Martta Reis Simões, result in some of the region’s top cuvées. In the Portal da Águia, Simões combines three Portuguese varieties with the French Syrah grape to create a juicy, spicy and seamless red blend.
In the Glass
Clove and tobacco notes lend a spicy edge to this sophisticated, juicy red. Fine tannins bolster loads of rich, fresh cherry and plum notes and finish with notes of molasses and white pepper.
At the Table
The Portal da Águia’s fine tannins and energetic red fruit make it a versatile partner to food. Serve with boldly flavored pork, veal or chicken dishes, or simply prepared red meats. Sausages, roasts and meaty chops, accented with fresh herbs, mild spices or vegetables make terrific choices.
Recipe Pairing
Grilled Butterflied Herbed Lamb
Grilled Butterflied Herbed Lamb
Spring is the perfect season for lamb, and here's the perfect recipe. Eight cloves of garlic might seem like a lot, but the amount doesn't overwhelm; rather, it deepens the sprightly herb flavor.
See the recipe
Additional Pairings
Grilling: Five-Spice Smoked Short Ribs with Shanghai Barbecue Sauce
Main Course: Grilled Cumin Pork Chops

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