Thursday, April 9, 2009

Drowning in Wine

Bacalhoa Vineyards

Yesterday, my SIL, FIL and I drove to the Setubal Peninsula to visit wineries and indulge in the local gastronomy. While we waited in between tours, we stopped by a local restaurant for a local dish of grilled "black" pork, homemade french fries, salad and wine (I thoroughly appreciate meals in which I know everything being served on my table is not only locally produced, but often organic and/or raised in the wild. This was one such meal). My SIL and I really liked the house red wine. We liked it so much so, I asked the owner where I could buy it, thinking it must be from the winery across the street. He told me that it was from a private winery located 2 kilometers down the road. He then proceeded to give me directions.

Driving down the dirt road to the winery just a few minutes later, we didn't know what to expect. Turning onto a somewhat sketchy, narrow, bumpy dirt road up to California Winery, I was even more skeptical. I parked right in front of the vineyards. The store looked like a barn, minus the cows (and smell). However, I took one look at the prices and nearly broke out into a song and dance. I purchased a 20L box of red table wine (that's 20 bottles of wine) for approximately 24 US dollars (boxed wine is more popular here and, actually, really good in comparison to the often poor quality boxed wines in the US).


I was a little nervous when we sampled some of the wine with dinner tonight. There was a chance it wouldn't taste the same as the wine we had with lunch yesterday. Fortunately, it was just as good! And, of course, I'm thrilled that I was able to get such a great deal (We estimate this amount and quality of wine in the US to be about $9-$12/bottle. We paid approximately$1.20/bottle)! I know I will not find wines deals like this when we get back to the States. I'm only sad that I hadn't stumbled upon something like this sooner! For the next three months, I will be drowning in wine, in the truest sense!


Here are two other pictures of our wine experience at Bacalhoa Vineyards:


7 comments:

Amie said...

Mmmmmmmm that looks so good! You are so spoiled out there in Portugal. Not so sure that "2 buck Chuck" is going to do it for you when you're back in the states, but we always have some (get it at Trader Joes) on hand for inexpensive everyday wine. I'm sure it's just no comparison to what you had though!

Katie said...

You are KIDDING. That totally rules. Can I move there?

Too funny that it is called "California!"

The Dunns said...

Oh, yummy! And how funny that "California Winery" is in Portugal!

Angie said...

I couldn't get past the photo of you. Super skinny. You look great.

And, stock up on the wine. We had no problem with our movers packing alcohol from Germany. And, if necessary, you can put it in a footlocker with a key, and call it pro-gear.

House Dad said...

What Angie said... How come you get to eat food like that, drink wine like that and still lose weight?

Mom said...

You, by the way, in the first picture....look absolutely great...
Love you....

brenda said...

Ohh Laa Laa...You look marvelous, as Nora would say. And, can I come over???