Olly Smith will reveal his 50 Great Portuguese Wines at an event in London today.
The Wine Writer and TV Personality, who won Journalist of the Year at the Portuguese Wine Awards in 2012, has spent the last year touring each of Portugal’s wine regions. His selection focuses on ‘Great Value,’ showcasing wines priced between £7 and £30 that offer an excellent quality to price ratio and have particular consumer appeal. His mission? To "demonstrate the flair and unique character of Portuguese winemaking, whilst focusing on the exceptional value for money that it can offer."
Olly says: “Portuguese wines are a treasure trove of undiscovered gems. ‘Great Value’ is my theme for this year’s 50 Great and there’s never been a better time to explore the excitement of Portugal’s outstanding flavours across their vineyards. From the sandy beaches to the wild highlands, the skill of local winemakers devoted to their awesome range of local Portuguese grapes has to be tasted to be believed.”
Visitors to the tasting, which is taking place at Paramount, Centre Point, today (18th April) will have the opportunity to taste each wine in the collection which features 19 whites, 27 reds, and 4 fortified wines.
A special evening event for over 300 consumers will follow the trade tasting, offering ticket holders the chance to taste through the 50 wines, meet Olly, and sample some delicious canapés to the sound of Portuguese music. Tickets to this exclusive event were extremely in demand and sold out in a record 7 days.
Marketing Director for Wines of Portugal, Nuno Vale, says: “We were absolutely delighted that Olly Smith agreed to select this year’s 50 Great Portuguese Wines. There is a definite need to boost awareness of the ‘value’ that Portugal can offer, particularly in the current climate when the consumer is demanding better quality at a good price. We believe there is no one better than Olly, with his unrivalled consumer appeal, to spread the message that Portugal can offer fantastic wines that represent outstanding value for money."
The complete list of Olly’s 50 Great Portuguese Wines is as follows:
Whites
1. Vales de Ambrães - Avesso 2012 | Vinho Verde
2. Casa da Senra 2012 | Vinho Verde
3. Soalheiro 2012 | Vinho Verde
4. Alvarinho Solar de Serrade 2012 | Vinho Verde
5. FP 2012 | Bairrada
6. Quinta da Raza Arinto 2012 | Vinho Verde
7. Montes Ermos Reserva 2011 | Douro
8. Beyra Quartz 2011 | Beira Interior
9. Redoma 2011 | Douro
10. Quinta de la Rosa 2011 | Douro
11. Pato Frio Antão Vaz 2011 | Alentejo
12. Vinhas do Lasso 2010 | Lisboa
13. Dona Ermelinda 2011 | Península de Setúbal
14. Valle Pradinhos 2011 | Trás-os-Montes
15. Muros de Melgaço 2011 | Vinho Verdes
16. Quinta de Saes Encruzado 2011 | Dão
17. Quinta dos Roques Encruzado 2011 | Dão
18. Esporão Reserva 2011 | Alentejo
19. Arenae 2010 | Lisboa
Reds
20. Marquês de Borba 2011 | Alentejo
21. Almeida Garrett, DOC Beira Interior TNT 2010 | Beira Interior
22. Sexy 2011 | Alentejo
23. Zéfyro 2009 | Alentejo
24. Altano Quinta do Ataíde Reserva 2009 | Douro
25. PAPE 2010 | Dão
26. Claudia’s 2009 | Douro
27. Manoella Douro 2010 | Douro
28. Quinta Nova - Colheita 2010 | Douro
29. F’OZ 2011 | Alentejo
30. Palpite 2010 | Alentejo
31. Poeira 2010 | Douro
32. Vertente 2009 | Douro
33. Casa Cadaval Trincadeira Vinhas Velhas 2009 | Tejo
34. Tinto da Ânfora 2010 | Alentejo
35. Duas Pedras 2011 | Alentejo
36. Crasto Superior 2010 | Douro
37. Quinta de Foz de Arouce 2009 | Beiras
38. Quinta dos Quatro Ventos 2009 | Douro
39. Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2011 | Bairrada
40. Quinta dos Roques 2010 | Dão
41. Esporão Reserva 2010 | Alentejo
42. Cedro do Noval 2009 | Douro
43. Julia Kemper Touriga Nacional 2009 | Dão
44. CH, Chocapalha 2009 | Lisboa
45. Quinta de la Rosa Reserve 2010 | Douro
46. Quinta do Sagrado Reserva 2007 | Douro
Fortified
47. Henriques & Henriques Verdelho 15 Years Old | Madeira
48. Adega Coop. Favaios Moscatel de Favaios Colheita 1980 | Douro
49. Família Horacio Simões Bastardo 2009 | Península Setúbal
50. Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim 2001 Vintage Port | Douro