Port Not
Posted by Melanie Mitzner on The Spirit World.
If you’re not a captain of industry or you don’t have celebrity status, then you might want to check out my Artists Picks, great moderately priced wines under $10. I’ll be reviewing a different wine in each post, describing the terroir, region and providing tasting notes.
The Douro Valley in Portugal is a spectacular landscape of steep terraces carved into granite hills sloping down to the banks of the Douro River. Although famous for Port, sweet fortified wines, my preference leans toward very dry reds (no fruit bombs, please!).
So I was thrilled to find the inexpensive but tasty Porca de Murca 2005 from producer Real Companhia Velha. Made from a blend of indigenous grapes it is rich ruby in color and medium bodied with subtle notes of cherry and black berry and a pleasant, slightly astringent finish reminiscent of Darjeeling tea with just a hint of pepper and spice. Not bad for just $5 a bottle.
If you’re so inclined to explore the region, check out Like-A-Local and travel like a native!
