Ramos-Pinto Douro Adriano Estate Red Wine 2005 (Portugal)
-Wine Tasting Notes-
The color of this wine is an intense brilliant ruby red. Aromas of blackberry and black plum are followed by spice notes. The wine is a smooth on the palate with lively tannins and nuances of ripe fruit, plum and cherry. The finish is fresh, savory and long. This wine is a perfect accompaniment to red meat, game, BBQ, hamburgers, pizza, pasta and vegetables.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_wine
Portuguese wine is the result of traditions introduced to the region by ancient civilizations, such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and mostly the Romans. Portugal started to export its wines to Rome during the Roman Empire. Modern exports developed with trade to England after the Methuen Treaty in 1703. From this commerce a wide variety of wines started to be grown in Portugal. And, in 1758, the first wine-producing region of the world, the Região Demarcada do Douro was created under the orientation of Marquis of Pombal, in the Douro Valley. Portugal has two wine producing regions protected by UNESCO as World Heritage: the Douro Valley Wine Region (Douro Vinhateiro) and Pico Island Wine Region (Ilha do Pico Vinhateira). Portugal has a large variety of native breeds, producing a very wide variety of different wines with distinctive personality.
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Though originally know for Port, there are some great value wines coming out of Portugal right now. The Touriga Nacional varietal from Douro region is showing particular promise.
Also, it is hard to match the value of these great wines. The Ramos-Pinto Doura is a great buy at $12 per bottle.
Cheers!
-Kevin
