Portugal
AUGUST 2026
Portugal has 250 indigenous wine grapes – the last frontier of western European wine production. The dictator António de Oliveira Salazar (1933-1968) only allowed co-ops (no private ownership), permitting them to grow local grapes and make simple, inexpensive, table wines for local consumption. Portugal joined the EU in 1986 and toyed with ripping out their native grapes in favor of better recognized international varietals (which did happen so some degree). But by the late 1990's, they saw a clear advantage to their native stock: 100+ year old, disease-resistant vines and with increasing international travel to Portugal, curiosity about these grapes was on the rise.
With that background, enjoy meeting some new grapes! The wines are terrific and a lot of value for the money.
Pictured above: Quinta do Romaneira (Douro Valley)
Douro Valley
The birthplace of port wine, the Douro Valley became the world's first demarcated wine region in 1756. For centuries, port producers had a stronghold on grapes and production in the Douro (west of Porto in northcentral Portugal). Portugal joining the EU in 1986 was the end of the port monopolies and the opening of Portuguese wine production to capital, modern wine production techniques, and a world market very curious about their wines. Today Douro production is split about 50/50 – port wine vs still wine. And be glad it is, because their still wines are wonderful.
Romaneira is a 412 hectare estate (one of the largest in the region) with 86 hectares of planted vines and almost 4 kilometers touching the Douro River. The estate has been in existence for more than 260 years. Steeped in port-making history, the winery has still made huge renovations (including a new winery) in the last 20 years bringing it into the modern era. Today, they offer a large line of fine wines, table wines, port, and olive oil.
R de Romaneira 2025 Vinho Branco • Douro Valley, Portugal • Reg $21.99 | WINE CLUB $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99
Vosinho 30%, Gouveao 30%, Rabigoto 20%, Codega 20%. Flowers & herbs, followed by pear & apple on the nose. Pear, apples, yellow plums on the palate with citrus & lime on an earthy, minerally backbone. Long, fresh finish. Fantastic acidity. Really delicious example from the Douro. Drink now to 2 years.
Pairings would include Bacalhau (dried and then rehydrated cod) – the national food of Portugal – which can then be prepared a million ways. Or you can go with grilled white fish or any fish or shellfish of your choosing. Pictured below are scallops in a fresh corn cream sauce with bacon lardons on baby kale.
Lisboa Vinho Regional
The Lisboa wine region is made up of nine appellations which form a crescent around the city of Lisbon and then head north along the Atlantic coast. The vineyards near the coast have hot summers and cool, wet winters with a lot of wind from the Atlantic Ocean. All wines from the appellations in Lisboa are classified as Vinho Regional (VR), a table wine designation similar to a Vin de Pays in France.
The majority of wine production from Lisboa is through large co-ops with good economies of scale. Your red blend is from a family-owned winery, Caves Bonifácio, founded by António Francisco Bonifácio in 1964. Today it's a mid-sized producer able to compete with the larger co-ops. It's located in the Região Oeste (West Region), north of Lisbon, close to the Atlantic.
Património 2024 Vinho Tinto • Lisboa, Portugal • Reg $14.99 | Mixed Case $11.99
60% Syrah - 40% Alicante Bouschet. Aromas of dark raspberries, dark plums & plum butter (like apple butter, but with made with plums... a German delicacy called Pflaumenmus). Flavors include jammy blackberries, blueberries, dark plums. Spicy, smoky and notes of dark chocolate on the finish. Not heavy though at all. 12.5% alcohol. Would be perfect with richer meats, especially dishes with spicy and/or smoky notes like the pulled pork dish below. Drink now to 3 years.
A Note from Jens:
Let’s end with the Lisboa night sky (above). So many delicious, well-priced wines available from Portugal! Perfect for this wine club. Have fun exploring. We think the wines are super tasty.
Your wine club pick-up tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. We host this tasting so that you can taste and learn about your wines before enjoying them at home.
You'll also be able to taste the FLAGSHIP club wines. Our August theme is Australia & New Zealand, featuring a Sauvignon Blanc (Hawke's Bay) and two reds: Cabernet (Coonawarra) & Shiraz (McLaren Vale).
Great tasting. Hope you can join!
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).