Three cheers for Portugal

Though a relatively small country, Portugal is covered with enough vines to put it among the world’s 10 largest wine producers. Vines may have been planted in the Iberian Peninsula as early as 2000 BC, but the Phoenicians are thought to have introduced winemaking, which was continued by the Romans.
These days, though Portugal is largely known for its fortified wines, unfortified wine production has been catching up with modern winemaking elsewhere. Its wineries are now some of the most up-to-date in Europe and native grape varieties are being rediscovered. Yet here, Thais are not well informed of unique Portuguese wines.
That’s why the Portuguese embassy recently held a wine tasting, a concerted effort with the local distributor Laa Eden.
The event introduced Portugal’s three renowned winemakers: Jose Luis Oliveira da Silva (of Casa Santos Lima and Sociedade Agrecola Quinta do Conde, Lisbon-based top wine producer), Luis Pato (of Luis Pato Growers) and Joio Mariano (of Quinta Da Penina Vinhos in Algarve). Held at the riverfront Portuguese Embassy, the tasting event saw a huge turnout of wine aficionados in Bangkok. Portuguese Ambassador Dr Jorge Torres-Pereira took the opportunity to give them a bit of a lowdown on his country’s rich wine heritage.
“Portuguese wine is an important part in the Old World culture – a product of long history and experience. Portugal has made its mark on the global wine map. Portugal, which has roughly the same population as Bangkok, is ranked the world’s number seven in winemaking, and is known for good wine drinking.
“And because the Thai wining scene has not had much exposure to Portuguese wines, we host this event to educate with three renowned winemakers who will introduce each finely selected wine and show us how unique they are, especially while pairing with such excellent cuisine. Please enjoy tonight,” said the ambassador.
As soon as he finished his speech, the crowd tucked into Portuguese food served in bite sizes. These included Pataniscas (Cod Fritters), Bacalhau Quenelles, Octopus Salad, Tuna and Black Eyed Peas Salad, Piri Piri Chicken, Grilled Sardines with Roasted Peppers and Egg Tarts.
Guests enjoyed sipping the three wineries’ best wines – from Luis Pato, Maria Gomes, Castra Baga and Touriga Nacional; from Quinta Da Peninn, Foral de Portimao Colheta Seleccionada and Petit Verdot; and from Casa Santo Lim, Escapada Rose, Galodoiro White and Paseo White, among many others.
Jose Luis Oliveira da Silva is a winemaker and director of Casa Santos Lima and Sociedade Agrola Quinta do Conde, one of Lisbon’s biggest wine producers, since 1920.
Located on the northern side of Lisbon, the winery is enriched with a long tradition of wine making and is praised for both reds and whites, including Colheita Seleccionada Vinho Verde, Escapada Rose, Galodoiro White, Galodoiro Red, Paseo White, Paseo Red, Monte Das Promessas White, Monte Das Promessas Red, Estacas White, Estacas Red, Casa Santos Lima Antao Vaz/Riesling, Casa Santos Lima Pinot Noir/Touriga Nacional and LX Red, which were also served at the event.
Apart from creating fine wines, Luis  Pato from Luis Pato Growers is also part of the judging panel of International Wine Challenges. In 2009 he was able to create naturally sweet and succulent red and blush wines by using Abafado molecules from BAGA grapes. During the evening, the guests were enjoying an array of wines including Luis Pato Maria Gomes, Luis Pato Touriga Nacional, Luis Pato Casta Baga, AM white, AM red and Pato Rebel Red.
Joio Mariano is a soil science engineer who oversees the plantation and wine making process from Quinta Da Penina Vinhos, one of Algarve’s prime wineries. He started off in 2000/2001 with three different grape varieties which became a very successful plantation. He introduced premium and unique-tasting wines from Portuguese and French grapes such as Quinta da Penina, Foral de Portimao Colheita Seleccionada, Foral de Portimao Petit Verdot as well as Foral de Portimao Reserva.
With a degree in chemical engineering, Luis Pato started his own wine making in 1980 after a visit to Bordeaux. Four years later he unveiled his first wine in London's International Wine Challenges together with the Vitivinicultural Commission of Bairrada and won a top prize. In 1990 Pato became a member of the International Wine Challenge's jury.
In 1995 Pato began launching single vineyard wines: Vinha Pan, Vinha Barrosa, Vinha Formal, Quinta do Moinho, and Vinha Barrio. After making his first wine with his daughter Filipa using cryo-extraction method, Pato in 2008 released his first single vineyard sparkling wine from Touriga Nacional and Bical grapes at Vinha Formal. These days he’s recognised for making his red and blush natural sweet wine from Baga grapes.

   LEARN MORE
For more information about premium Portuguese wines, contact Laa Eden at (02) 713 1803.