50 GREAT PORTUGUESE WINES Chosen for 2014 by Joshua Greene Posted by Philip S. Kampe

I attended a magnificent event revealing the '50 Great Wines of Portugal'.
Joshua Greene, Editor and Publisher of Wine & Spirits Magazine, made the final selection, after a tedious tasting venue.

Evan Goldstein, founder of Full Circle Wine Solutions (SF) was the emcee for the event.

Special Achievement Awards were presented to select dignitaries, which, included:

Importer of the Year: Wine In Motion (NJ)
Restaurants of the Year: Pier 95 (NY) and Hearth (NYC)

Independent Retailer of the Year: Astor Wine & Spirits (NYC)

Chain Retailer of the Year: Binny's Beverage Depot (Chicago)

The Portuguese export market grew 15% in the 2013 calendar year.
I predicted the 'new trend' in wine to be from the TEJO region in 2014. Joshua Greene
picked a wine from Tejo, #18, in his top 50.
The Top 50 are in tasting order, according to Joshua Greene, not, as is customary, from the Traditional Best #1 to #50.
What is your favorite?

50 Great Wines 
by Joshua Greene - REVEALED

01 - 2012 Solar das Bouças Loureiro, Vinho Verde

Producer: SOLAR DAS BOUÇAS
Wine Name: LOUREIRO
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): LOUREIRO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 80,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: ÁLVARO VAN ZELLER

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02 - 2012 Quinta de Gomariz Avesso, Vinho Verde

Producer: QUINTA DE GOMARIZ
Wine Name: AVESSO
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): AVESSO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 10,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: ANTÓNIO SOUSA

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03 - 2012 Quinta da Lixa Aromas das Castas Alvarinho Trajadura, Vinho Verde

Producer: QUINTA DA LIXA
Wine Name: AROMAS DAS CASTAS ALVARINHO TRAJADURA
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): ALVARINHO (50%), TRAJADURA (50%)
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 30,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: CARLOS TEIXEIRA

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04 - 2011 Quinta de Pacos Casa do Capitao-mor, Vinho Verde

Producer: QUINTA DE PAÇOS
Wine Name: CASA DO CAPITÃO-MOR
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): ALVARINHO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 6,600 BOTTLES
Winemaker: RUI CUNHA

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05 - 2012 Soalheiro Alvarinho, Vinho Verde

Producer: SOALHEIRO
Wine Name: ALVARINHO
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): ALVARINHO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 100,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: LUIS CERDEIRA

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06 - 2012 Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas, Vinho Verde

Producer: SOALHEIRO
Wine Name: PRIMEIRAS VINHAS
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): ALVARINHO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 12,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: LUIS CERDEIRA

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07 - 2012 Anselmo Mendes Vinhos Contacto, Vinho Verde

Producer: ANSELMO MENDES VINHOS
Wine Name: CONTACTO
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): ALVARINHO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 60,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: ANSELMO MENDES

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08 - 2010 IdealDrinks Eminencia, Vinho Verde

Producer: IDEALDRINKS
Wine Name: EMINÊNCIA
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): LOUREIRO
Region: VINHO VERDE
Production: 20,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: CARLOS LUCAS

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09 - 2012 Casa de Mouraz Encruzado, Dao

Producer: CASA DE MOURAZ
Wine Name: ENCRUZADO
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): ENCRUZADO
Region: DÃO
Production: 3,666 BOTTLES
Winemaker: VINES AND WINES AND ANTÓNIO LOPES RIBEIRO

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10 - 2004 Quinta das Bágeiras Garrafeira White, Bairrada

Producer: QUINTA DAS BÁGEIRAS
Wine Name: GARRAFEIRA WHITE
Vintage: 2004
Varietal(s): MARIA GOMES, BICAL
Region: BAIRRADA
Production: 3,200 BOTTLES
Winemaker: RUI ALVES

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11 - 2011 Quinta de Chocapalha Arinto, Lisboa

Producer: QUINTA DE CHOCAPALHA
Wine Name: ARINTO
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): ARINTO
Region: LISBOA
Production: -
Winemaker: SANDRA TAVARES DA SILVA

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12 - 2012 Enoport United Wines Quinta do Boicao Reserva White, Bucelas

Producer: ENOPORT UNITED WINES
Wine Name: QUINTA DO BOIÇÃO RESERVA WHITE
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): ARINTO
Region: BUCELAS
Production: 15,600 BOTTLES
 Winemaker: JOÃO VICÊNCIO

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13 - 2011 Casca Wines Monte Cascas Malvasia de Colares Branco, Colares

Producer: CASCA WINES
Wine Name: MONTE CASCAS MALVASIA DE COLARES BRANCO
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): MALVASIA DE COLARES
Region: COLARES
Production: 450 BOTTLES
Winemaker: HELDER CUNHA AND FREDERICO GOMES

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14 - 2011 Rui Reguinga Enologia Terrenus, Alentejo

Producer: RUI REGUINGA ENOLOGIA
Wine Name: TERRENUS
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): ARINTO, FERNÃO PIRES, BICAL, ROUPEIRO AND OTHER VARIETALS
Region: ALENTEJO
Production: 5,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: RUI REGUINGA

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15 - 2012 Herdade do Esporão Verdelho, Alentejo

Producer: HERDADE DO ESPORÃO
Wine Name: VERDELHO
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): VERDELHO
Region: ALENTEJO
Production: 5,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: DAVID BAVERSTOCK AND SANDRA ALVES

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16 - 2012 Secret Spot Wines Vale da Poupa Moscatel Galego White, Douro

Producer: SECRET SPOT WINES
Wine Name: VALE DA POUPA MOSCATEL GALEGO WHITE
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): MOSCATEL GALEGO BRANCO
Region: DOURO
Production: 15,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: RUI CUNHA AND HUGO LINTON

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17 - 2012 Jose Maria da Fonseca Vinhos Domingos Soares Franco Colecção Privada Moscatel Roxo Rosé, Península de Setúbal

Producer: JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA VINHOS
Wine Name: DOMINGOS SOARES FRANCO COLECÇÃO PRIVADA MOSCATEL ROXO ROSÉ
Vintage: 2012
Varietal(s): MOSCATEL ROXO
Region: PENÍNSULA DE SETÚBAL
Production: 8,500 BOTTLES
Winemaker: DOMINGOS SOARES FRANCO

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18 - 2009 Quinta da Alorna Portal da Aguia Red DOC, Tejo

Producer: QUINTA DA ALORNA
Wine Name: PORTAL DA ÁGUIA RED DOC
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): TINTA RORIZ, CASTELÃO, SYRAH, ALICANTE BOUSCHET
Region: TEJO
Production: 230,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: MARTTA REIS SIMÕES

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19 - 2008 Quinta de Chocapalha Red, Lisboa

Producer: QUINTA DE CHOCAPALHA
Wine Name: RED
Vintage: 2008
Varietal(s): TINTA RORIZ (33%), SYRAH (22%), TOURIGA NACIONAL (22%), TOURIGA FRANCA (11%), CASTELÃO (10%), ALICANTE BOUSCHET(2%)
Region: LISBOA
Production: -
Winemaker: SANDRA TAVARES DA SILVA

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20 - 2011 Quinta do Pinto Estate Collection Red, Alenquer

Producer: QUINTA DO PINTO
Wine Name: ESTATE COLLECTION RED
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL (25%), ARAGONEZ (20% ), CASTELÃO (10%), ALFROCHEIRO (10%), TINTA MIÚDA (10%), SYRAH (25%)
Region: LISBOA
Production: 150,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: TIAGO BELLEGARDE MACHADO

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21 - 2010 Vidigal Wines Brutalis, Lisboa

Producer: VIDIGAL WINES
Wine Name: BRUTALIS
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): ALICANTE BOUSCHET (85%), CABERNET SAUVIGNON (15%)
Region: LISBOA
Production: 30,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: ANTÓNIO VENTURA, RAFAEL NEUPARTH AND ARNALDO SIMÕES

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22 - 2010 Quinta da Plansel Marques de Montemor Colheita Seleccionada Touriga Franca, Alentejo

Producer: QUINTA DA PLANSEL
Wine Name: MARQUÊS DE MONTEMOR, COLHEITA SELECCIONADA TOURIGA FRANCA
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): TOURIGA FRANCA
Region: ALENTEJO
Production: 4,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: DORINA LINDEMANN

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23 - 2010 Monte da Ravasqueira Vinha das Romas, Alentejo

Producer: MONTE DA RAVASQUEIRA
Wine Name: VINHA DAS ROMÃS
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): SYRAH, TOURIGA NACIONAL, ALICANTE BOUSCHET, TOURIGA FRANCA
Region: ALENTEJO
Production: 30,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: PEDRO PEREIRA GONÇALVES

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24 - 2010 Herdade do Esporao Reserva Red, Alentejo

Producer: HERDADE DO ESPORÃO
Wine Name: RESERVA RED
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): ARAGONÊS, TRINCADEIRA, ALICANTE BOUSCHET, CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Region: ALENTEJO
Production: 50,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: DAVID BAVERSTOCK AND LUIS PATRAO

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25 - 2008 Herdade de Vale Barqueiros Reserva Red, Alentejo

Producer: HERDADE DE VALE BARQUEIROS
Wine Name: RESERVA RED
Vintage: 2008
Varietal(s): ALICANTE BOUSCHET, TRINCADEIRA
Region: ALENTEJO
Production: 14,400 BOTTLES
Winemaker: PAULO LAUREANO

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26 - 2010 Lusovini Pedra Cancela Selecao do Enologo, Dao

Producer: LUSOVINI
Wine Name: PEDRA CANCELA SELEÇÃO DO ENÓLOGO
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL, ALFROCHEIRO, TINTA RORIZ
Region: DÃO
Production: 200,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: JOÃO PAULO GOUVEIA

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27 - 2010 Casa de Mouraz Elfa, Dão

Producer: CASA DE MOURAZ
Wine Name: ELFA
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): FIELD BLEND OF 30 DIFFERENT GRAPE VARIETALS
Region: DÃO
Production: 6,666 BOTTLES
Winemaker: VINES & WINES AND ANTÓNIO LOPES RIBEIRO

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28 - 2009 FTP Vinhos Quinta do Serrado Reserva Red, Dao

Producer: FTP VINHOS
Wine Name: QUINTA DO SERRADO RESERVA RED
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL, ALFROCHEIRO, JAEN
Region: DÃO
Production: -
Winemaker: ANTÓNIO MACHADO

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29 - 2007 Quinta da Ponte Pedrinha Vinhas Velhas, Dao

Producer: QUINTA DA PONTE PEDRINHA
Wine Name: VINHAS VELHAS
Vintage: 2007
Varietal(s): BLEND OF DIFFERENT GRAPES VARIETALS
Region: DÃO
Production: 8,300 BOTTLES
Winemaker: PATRÍCIA CARVALHO, CATARINA SIMÕES AND
LAFAYETTE AGRA

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30 - 2009 Alianca Quinta da Dona Red, Bairrada

Producer: ALIANÇA
Wine Name: QUINTA DA DÔNA RED
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): BAGA
Region: BAIRRADA
Production: 22,687 BOTTLES
Winemaker: FRANCISCO ANTUNES

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31 - 2009 Luis Pato Vinha Pan, Bairrada

Producer: LUÍS PATO
Wine Name: VINHA PAN
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): BAGA
Region: BAIRRADA
Production: 3,066 BOTTLES
Winemaker: LUÍS PATO

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32 - 2009 Quinta das Bageiras Garrafeira Red, Bairrada

Producer: QUINTA DAS BÁGEIRAS
Wine Name: GARRAFEIRA RED
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): BAGA
Region: BAIRRADA
Production: 8,676 BOTTLES
Winemaker: RUI ALVES

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33 - 2011 Joao Brito e Cunha Quinta de S. Jose Touriga Nacional, Douro

Producer: JOÃO BRITO E CUNHA
Wine Name: QUINTA DE S. JOSÉ TOURIGA NACIONAL
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL
Region: DOURO
Production: 2,700 BOTTLES
Winemaker: JOÃO BRITO E CUNHA

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34 - 2011 Muxagat Vinhos Red, Douro

Producer: MUXAGAT VINHOS
Wine Name: RED
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL, TOURIGA FRANCA, SOUSÃO
Region: DOURO
Production: 15,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: MATEUS NICOLAU DE ALMEIDA

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35 - 2010 Quinta Seara d’Ordens TalentVs Grande Escolha, Douro

Producer: QUINTA SEARA D'ORDENS
Wine Name: TALENTVS GRANDE ESCOLHA
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL (50%), TOURIGA FRANCA (25%), TINTA RORIZ (25%)
Region: DOURO
Production: 6,092 BOTTLES
Winemaker: LUÍS SOARES DUARTE

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36 - 2010 Jorge Nobre Moreira Poeira, Douro

Producer: JORGE NOBRE MOREIRA
Wine Name: POEIRA
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): OLD VINES
Region: DOURO
Production: 15,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: JORGE MOREIRA

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37 - 2010 Niepoort Vinhos Batuta, Douro

Producer: NIEPOORT VINHOS
Wine Name: BATUTA
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): TINTA AMARELA, TOURIGA FRANCA, TINTA RORIZ, RUFETE, MALVAZIA PRETA AND OTHERS
Region: DOURO
Production: 13,014 BOTTLES
Winemaker: DIRK NIEPOORT AND TEAM

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38 - 2010 Wine & Soul Quinta da Manoella Vinhas Velhas, Douro

Producer: WINE & SOUL
Wine Name: QUINTA DA MANOELLA VINHAS VELHAS
Vintage: 2010
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL (60%), TOURIGA FRANCA (25%), TINTA RORIZ (10%), TINTA FRANCISCA (5%)
Region: DOURO
Production: 10,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: JORGE BORGES AND SANDRA TAVARES

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39 - 2009 Adriano Ramos Pinto Collection, Douro

Producer: ADRIANO RAMOS PINTO
Wine Name: COLLECTION
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL (50%), TOURIGA FRANCA (40%), TINTA DA BARCA (10%)
Region: DOURO
Production: -
Winemaker: JOÃO NICOLAU DE ALMEIDA

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40 - 2009 Duorum Vinhos Reserva Vinhas Velhas, Douro

Producer: DUORUM VINHOS
Wine Name: RESERVA VINHAS VELHAS
Vintage: 2009
Varietal(s): FIELD BLEND OF MAINLY TOURIGA NACIONAL (45%), TOURIGA FRANCA (45%), TINTA RORIZ (5%), SOUSÃO (5%)
Region: DOURO
Production: 10,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: JOSÉ MARIA SOARES FRANCO

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41 - 2008 Quinta do Portal Reserva, Douro

Producer: QUINTA DO PORTAL
Wine Name: RESERVA
Vintage: 2008
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL (40%), TINTA RORIZ (45%), TOURIGA FRANCA (15%)
Region: DOURO
Production: 2,620 CASES
Winemaker: PAULO COUTINHO

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42 - 2008 Folias de Baco Olho no Pe Grande Reserva Red, Douro

Producer: FOLIAS DE BACO
Wine Name: OLHO NO PÉ GRANDE RESERVA RED
Vintage: 2008
Varietal(s): MIXED OF NATIVE VARIETALS
Region: DOURO
Production: 3,550 BOTTLES
Winemaker: TIAGO SAMPAIO

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43 - 2008 Quinta do Noval Red Wine, Douro

Producer: QUINTA DO NOVAL
Wine Name: RED WINE
Vintage: 2008
Varietal(s): Touriga Nacional (50%), Touriga Franca (40%), Tinto Cão (10%)
Region: DOURO
Production: 1,500 CASES
Winemaker: ANTÓNIO AGRELLOS

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44 - 2008 Quinta da Sequeira Reserva Red, Douro

Producer: QUINTA DA SEQUEIRA
Wine Name: RESERVA RED
Vintage: 2008
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL, TOURIGA FRANCA, TINTA
RORIZ, TINTA AMARELA, TINTA BARROCA
Region: DOURO
Production: 7,750 BOTTLES
Winemaker: MÁRIO CARDOSO

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45 - 2007 Quinta do Sagrado Mutante, Douro

Producer: QUINTA DO SAGRADO
Wine Name: MUTANTE
Vintage: 2007
Varietal(s): OLD VINE VARIETALS (33%), BLEND OF
VARIETALS (31%), TINTA AMARELA (14%), TOURIGA FRANCESA (11%), TOURIGA NACIONAL (6%), TINTA RORIZ (5%)
Region: DOURO
Production: 12,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: JOSÉ MARIA CALEM

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46 - 1996 Madeira Wine Company Blandy’s Colheita Bual, Madeira

Producer: MADEIRA WINE COMPANY
Wine Name: BLANDY’S COLHEITA BUAL
Vintage: 1996
Varietal(s): BUAL
Region: MADEIRA
Production: 3,000 (500 ML) BOTTLES
Winemaker: FRANCISCO ALBUQUERQUE

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47 - NV Sogevinus Fine Wines Burmester Tordiz 40 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro

Producer: SOGEVINUS FINE WINES
Wine Name: BURMESTER TORDIZ 40 YEAR OLD TAWNY PORT
Vintage: NV
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL (30%), TINTA RORIZ (30%), TOURIGA FRANCA (30%), TINTA BARROCA (10%)
Region: DOURO
Production: -
Winemaker: CARLOS ALVES

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48 - 1969 Symington Family Estates Graham’s Single Harvest Tawny Port, Douro

Producer: SYMINGTON FAMILY ESTATES
Wine Name: GRAHAM’S SINGLE HARVEST TAWNY PORT
Vintage: 1969
Varietal(s): BLEND OF TRADITIONAL DOURO GRAPE VARIETALS
Region: DOURO
Production: 356 CASES
Winemaker: CHARLES SYMINGTON

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49 - 2011 Fonseca Vintage Porto, Douro

Producer: FONSECA
Wine Name: VINTAGE PORTO
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): TOURIGA NACIONAL, TOURIGA FRANCA, TINTA BARROCA, TINTA RORIZ, TINTO CÃO, TINTA AMARELA
Region: DOURO
Production: 6,000 Cases
Winemaker: DAVID GUIMARAENS

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50 - 2010 Niepoort Vinhos Batuta, Douro

Producer: NIEPOORT VINHOS
Wine Name: VINTAGE
Vintage: 2011
Varietal(s): TOURIGA FRANCA, TINTA RORIZ, TINTO CÃO, TINTA FRANCISCA, TINTA AMARELA, SOUSÃO AND OTHER
Region: DOURO
Production: 15,000 BOTTLES
Winemaker: DIRK NIEPOORT AND TEAM

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Philip S. Kampe
Philip.Kampe@TheWineHub.com

 

U.S. Winery Sales and Winery Jobs Up in 2013 adapted by Philip S. Kampe

U.S. Wine Sales and Winery Jobs Up in 2013
DtC shipments hit $1.58 billion, hiring activity grows by 27% by Jim Gordon “wine San Rafael, Calif.
Data from December wine sales and winery job listings confirmed that 2013 was a year of growth for the domestic wine industry. The Wine Industry Metrics recorded by Wines Vines Analytics were all in the green for December as well as the 2013 calendar year. Domestic wine sales enjoyed 7% gains in both the off-premise and direct-to-consumer channels. More dramatic was the 27% growth in the Winery Job Index, reflecting a growing and confident U.S. wine industry.
Direct shipments reach new high
The value of direct-to-consumer shipments from U.S. wineries reached $1.58 billion in 2013, the highest annual level since at least 2010, when this metric was created with the Wines & Vines/ShipCompliant model. Sales in December alone grew to $145 million. DtC shipments typically peak in October or November each year, then fall in December. December 2013 kept to this pattern, yet sales grew 14% over the previous December. Volume rose even faster, up 23% to 366,929 case equivalents. DtC shipments also stepped up on a yearly basis, continuing a steady climb since 2010.
Dollar sales were up 7%, to $1.58 billion, while volume rose by 9% to 3.48 million 9-liter case equivalents. The average bottle price dipped slightly, from $38.42 in 2012 to $37.78 in 2013. Off-premise sales grow by 7% Off-premise sales of domestic wine grew by 7% in 2013, according to IRI, as sales reached an all-time high of $7.34 billion at the stores IRI monitors. Volume in domestic table wine grew 3% to 98 million cases, while volume in domestic sparkling wine grew 7% to 3 million cases. Sales of domestic wines grew 6% in December compared to December 2012, according to IRI, the Chicago-based market-research firm, and analysis by Wines Vines Analytics.
December was by far the biggest sales month of the year, with $742 million in wine sales. Domestic table wines grew by 7% in December, but a 2% drop in domestic sparkling wine sales drew down the overall rate. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon held their places as the No. 1 and No. 2 top-selling varietal wines off-premise in 2013. The No. 3 position shifted, however, as growing sales raised Pinot Grigio/Gris by 11% to surpass Merlot sales, which declined 2%. The red blends/Meritage category grew fastest at 18%, followed by Fumé/Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, both with 12% increases.
Winery hiring activity up 27%
The Winery Job Index for December 2013 reflected unusually strong hiring activity in what is traditionally the least busy hiring month. This completed a year of dramatic growth in hiring activity, according to Winejobs.com, creator of the index, and helped boost the overall 2013 index 27% higher than 2012. For the year, winemaking job activity was up 22%, sales and marketing activity increased 16% and hospitality job activity rose 47%.
The Winery Job Index for December was 54% higher than the previous December, and all winery job types shared in the gain. More wineries in flash site offers Offers by wine flash sites continued to climb as 2013 came to an end. In December, flash websites made 722 offers for domestic wines. That total was 26% higher than in December of 2012 and brought the 12-month total to virtually the same level as 2012. The monthly totals of flash offers stayed below the previous year from January through September 2013, when that trend reversed and offer counts stayed up through the end of the year.
Invino led the surge in offers with 244 in December, which is more than double the 90 offers by Wired For Wine and 84 offers by Last Call Wines, which had the second-highest offer counts.
The monthly average of U.S. wineries whose products were offered through flash sites has increased each year since Wines Vines Analytics first started tracking offers. In 2011 the average was 244, which grew to 296 in 2012 and 315 during the past year. December was the most active month from the past three years, with 450 different wineries represented in flash offers.
The total number of wineries with offers through flash sites in 2013 was 1,062, or 14% of all U.S. wineries.

The International Day of Italian Cuisine takes place on January 17th, 2014 adapted by Philip S. Kampe

 The International Day of Italian Cuisines takes place on 17 January 2014 and is a celebration of how to make an 'Authentic Italian Italian Culinary Delight'. This yearly event, which the culinary world anticipates what authentic Italian dish will be chosen for the year culminates on 17 January.

For 2014, the dish that was chosen is ' Spaghetti al dente with Tomato Sauce and Basil'. This dish defines Italy. Expert Chefs from around the world will construct their 'authentic' version of this dish.
The philosophy behind the International Day of Italian Cuisine is aimed at educating consumers, worldwide, and showing the consumers how to make authentic Italian dishes, in this case, Spaghetti al dente with Tomato sauce and Basil'.

Workshops featuring internationally recognized chefs:
Enrico Bartolini from two star Michelin restaurant Devero (Milano);
Matteo Bergamini from SD26 (New York) and
Luca Signoretti from Roberto's Restaurant (Dubai),
will take place on 17 January at the Culinary Center on Broadway Street in New York. The acclaimed Chefs will teach the selected guests in-house and international via the internet, how to make authentic 'Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce with Basil'.
Chef Cesare Casella, Dean of Italian Studies will be one of the host for the festivities.
Chefs from Naples, Pompei and Milan will collaborate with the  International Center through video conferencing. showing their cooking techniques on this special day.
(Recipes to follow after the event takes place)

 

The International Day of Italian Cuisines: why 17th January, 2014?

January 17 is a date of great symbolic importance. It’s the day of the catholic feast of Sant’Antonio Abate, one of the most popular saints of Italy, the patron of domestic animals, but also of butchers and salami makers. On this day, according to tradition, the Italian Carnival begins, that period of the year during which, since unmemorable time, it’s “licet insanire,” transgressions are tolerated and good, rich food is celebrated and, along with this: cooking.
The cult of Saint Anthony “of January”, who was a hermit who lived in Egypt in the 13th century, is rooted in earlier pagan feasts, le sementine (that celebrates the end of the sowing season) of ancient Rome in honour of Ceres, the Goddess of the Earth.

The sacred and the profane as well as Celtic and Latin rites are mixed together here. Therefore this occasion is celebrated in Italy, from north to south, on January 17th in many different ways. The devotion to the saint is very strong in Pinerolo, in the Province of Turin, in the Province of Como, in Lombardy and in Emilia Romagna.
On the other hand, in the south on that evening “fires” are lit, “focaroni,” “focarazzi” or “focaracci” – bonfires, people congregate in crowds around these pyres to give hommage to the saint who, according to legend, banished the devil and took dominion of the fires of hell. This is what is done in Puglia, Sardinia, Campania e Abruzzo.

In the latter, in the town of Scanno this feast has been celebrated since the fourteenth century until recently with great, steaming pans of sagna (home made pasta) and ricotta in the town square, while in Lanciano a holy representation was held. Also in Lazio, especially in the towns of Nepi and Velletri, in the area of Tuscia, the feast still has strong gastronomic characteristics. In general, almost all the celebrations of 17th January ended with a collection of food products that the entire community then consumed collectively.

Elsewhere, in Guastalla in Emilia Romagna, the fried gnocco (gnocco fritto) is the king of the feast. Saint Antonio has always been represented by a suckling pig (by a wild boar in Celtic countries) whose meat was the most highly esteamed ingredient of a meal at the Italian peasant’s table. Once, many rural communities collectively raised a piglet that they then butchered and ate on that day. Ancient fairs, such as that of Lonato, in Lombardy, that used to be held on 17th January but today have fallen out of use, were completely a celebration of cooking and eating of pork, of which in peasant tradition, as it is of common knowledge, nothing went to waste.

 

Bruce Boylan---It's All in the 'Palate' by Philip S. Kampe

                                        Bruce Boylan, a "Palate Unmatched"

Fate is always a factor in one’s life.

That is a fact!

If I hadn’t met Bruce Boylan, earlier in my wine career, this article probably would not have existed. But, as fate has it, I met Bruce Boylan (no relation to Boylan sodas) at a wine tasting in Manhattan, in the early 2000’s.
I was new to the industry and was just getting my feet wet, when we had a conversation—one that would alter my life. Bruce and I talked about wine and what his career in his later life was. He said he was a ‘Wine Consultant’ at Sparrow Wine of Hoboken, NJ. I explained that I lived ten minutes from Hoboken. Bruce said, ‘ I will gladly introduce you to the owners, Armando and Mike. I know they are looking for help
Are you interested?’

Well, the next day I met Armando and Mike and was hired on the spot.
Months turned into years at Sparrow. I gave my loyal customers my wine picks and advice, hopefully creating a positive lifelong wine experience for them.

Time passed and, as fate would have it, both Bruce and I left Sparrow and moved separate directions.

Since those early days in my career, Bruce has been one of my inspirations. I am not sure if he is a chemist or just has an exceptional palate, but, his wine choices have always been on par with the experts.

Fast forward to 2014.

Bruce is a wine consultant and I am writing about wine.

To ring in the New Year, Bruce invites a few selected guests to sample some of his wine picks.

Bruce likes wines that are good values and drink like wines that should retail for two or three times the price they sell for. His choices have always astounded me in such a way that I think his palate has the ‘Sixth Sense’, one that most of us read about, but, rarely witness.

The list below are the wines we sampled.

Do you agree with Bruce’s palate?

La Verger  2012
Tortise Creek

Languedoc, France

Viognier

$11

Mont Gravet  2012
Gascogne, France
Colombard

$9

  

Pinot Noir 2012

Brassfield
Lake Co., California
$18

Venta Morales  2012

La Mancha, Spain

Tempranillo (organic)

$12

Cune Crianza  2009

Rioja, Spain

Tempranillo

$12

    "My life focuses on wine, bicycling, downhill skiing and my two daughters"

                      

                              A #WINELOVERS Carpet is always full of red wine stains

                      "All of my selections for the tasting retail for $18 and under"
                              

      

Laurent Miguel  2012

Languedoc, France

Syrah/Grenache

$9

Saint Chinian  2009

Chateau Casal Viel

Languedoc, France

Syrah
$12

Mathilda  2010

M. Charpotier
Victoria, Australia

Shiraz

$16

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.Kampe@TheWineHub.com