I took my father and my friend, Ana, to a winery on the PenÃnsula de Setúbal. For months, I've been dying to tour local wineries. Finally! My first one (aside from Port wine in Porto).
Jose Maria Da Fonseca, a 100% family owned winery (6th generation), produces 33 brands of table and fortified wines. A few wines are easily found in America. A rose, sparkling, and white wine, sold under the name Lancers and a red wine, Periquita (first vintage: 1850).
200-year-old Mohogany casks - still in use
Ana and I were interested in the very popular (here) Moscatel de Setubal. It's a fortified wine served as an appertif or as dessert wine and after our wine tasting, we each picked up a Private collection bottle of Moscatel to bring home. It's so good! The bottle of Moscatel I bought was fortified with a particular brandy (the name escapes me) that I think makes the Moscatel taste wonderful. Therefore, I find this Moscatel better than most others that I have tried and I can't wait for a special occasion to share it with friends and/or family.
My father doesn't really like sweet wines, therefore, he really enjoyed the Periquita red wine (I'm a red wine drinker and I liked Periquita, but I have few other favorite Portuguese red wines that I enjoy a bit more than the Periquita) and will probably look for it back in the States.
I'm looking forward to visiting more wineries. There are a couple of wine routes I'm interested in seeking out and I'll be sure to post about them as I do
If you are able to find the Lancers and Periquita, please try them as they are very decent (not the best Portuguese wines, in my opinion, but very drinkable and easy on the palate) Portuguese wines and will give you a small taste of what Portugal has to offer. The Moscatel may be harder to find - but, well worth it if you do!
My father doesn't really like sweet wines, therefore, he really enjoyed the Periquita red wine (I'm a red wine drinker and I liked Periquita, but I have few other favorite Portuguese red wines that I enjoy a bit more than the Periquita) and will probably look for it back in the States.
I'm looking forward to visiting more wineries. There are a couple of wine routes I'm interested in seeking out and I'll be sure to post about them as I do
If you are able to find the Lancers and Periquita, please try them as they are very decent (not the best Portuguese wines, in my opinion, but very drinkable and easy on the palate) Portuguese wines and will give you a small taste of what Portugal has to offer. The Moscatel may be harder to find - but, well worth it if you do!
