Best Inexpensive Wines of Portugal

Although well-known for its fortified port wine, Portugal is less well-known as an exporter of fine red wine. The reasons for this stump everyone who knows Portuguese wine, with its rich regional traditions. Whether it be from the port-making country of the Douro Valley or the arid backcountry of Alentejo, the country makes some excellent wine that easily eclipses anything from the neighboring (and better-known) vineyards of Spain. Some of these wines are great bargains too.

Each of the following five labels can be routinely had in Portugal for a price of about 5 euros. After importation costs, they should average about $12 a bottle in the United States. All five wines are exported to the U.S., so if you cannot find them on the shelves of your local wine shop, ask the proprietor to find out who is distributing one or more of these labels and to get some. Most of them will improve with a few years of aging, but they are not the sorts of big reds that should be put in the cellar for 8 to 10 years.

Esteva
Esteva is from the Douro, the same region that makes port wine. It's bright, ruby-red color makes it a pleasure to look at in the glass and a real adornment to the dinner table. It is made using the Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca grape varietals (all of which are largely unfamiliar to American palates), creating a well-balanced, smooth wine. There are hints of violet in the bouquet, and the taste has red fruit tinge.

Terras do Po
The 2006 vintage won a bronze medal at the Les Citadelles du Vin. It is a complex wine with a deep color that is indicative of its good tannins. It tastes of berry fruits with a hint of vanilla, the product of its 4 months aging in French oak barrels. It is made by the Casa Ermerlinda winery, which is located in the little known region of Terras do Sado. This region overlaps with Portugal's Blue Coast, stretching between the port cities of Setubal and Sines. This is one of the few wines that will improve markedly with a good bit of aging, so consider keeping a few bottles for 6 to 8 years. However, it is just fine as is and straight from the shop.

Marques de Borba
This wine comes from the Alentejo wine-maker Joao Ramos, near the town of Estremoz. The scent is intensely fruity, almost reminiscent of berry jam. However, the flavor is very well-balanced between the tannins, the acidity and the fruity, producing a smooth, creamy wine. The Joao Ramos winery is one of those in Portugal that is actively engaged in wine tourism, making it both a good wine-maker and a natural tourist destination.

Chamine
This is easily the cheapest offering of the Cortes de Cima wine portfolio, whose wines are usually very expensive. It has been seen at some wine shops in the United States for under $10. It is based on Aragonez and Syrah. Syrah (sometimes called Shiraz) is common enough in the U.S., but Aragonez is a rarity. The wine's color is deep red with violet hues, which is expressed in its dark and blue berry flavors. Other elements of the flavors are its earthiness, with a subdued hint of vanilla left behind by its aging.

Monte Vehlo
Herdade de Esporao's main strength is in mid-priced wines, but they have a fine product in their Monte Vehlo table wine. This is another good example of Alentejo wine, with Herdade de Esporao being situated between the ancient city of Evora and the medieval border fortress town of Monsaraz. It has a bright, clear color with a ripe berry fruit scent, with only a hint of oak. The flavor is smooth and fruity, with very soft tannins. Of the five wines on the list, Monte Vehlo is routinely the least expensive.

Sources: Personal tasting experience; eng.sograpevinhos.eu/marcas/4/historia; ermelindafreitas.pt; jportugalramos.com; cortesdecima.com; esporao.com