Marias da Malhadinha – Portuguese Table Wines

Posted on November 16, 2007
Filed Under Now Drinking, Algarve Concerts

A couple of weeks ago we attended the Lisbon Wine & Food Show with the gang from Adegga. Not only did we have a great time, but also got to try some really incredible Portuguese wines. As expected, there were wines from all over the country, varying in taste and budgets.

Marias da Malhadinha

What impressed me the most was the diversity of the Portuguese wines -Vinho verdes, whites, reds all the way through ports, madeiras, etc. The selection of Portuguese wines is truly dynamic, impressive and makes me proud. So, it’s really a shame that formidable wines like these are not better known outside the country. The most popular Portuguese wine I remember in my travels abroad has consistently been Mateus Rose, although a nice commercial wine, it’s a pale comparison to the serious contenders we have nationally. Like Marias da Malhadinha, Palacio da Brejoeira, Cortes de Cima Reserva, Marques de Borba Reserva - these are pure heaven, and just a few of the many hundreds of Portuguese reds.

During the show we tried dozens of wines, some good, some great and some simply just too good to spit. To keep things simple, I stuck to reds for the most part, and if I had to pick just one …. (*gulp*) that’s like picking a favourite chocolate … I would have to pick Marias da Maladinha, wonderful red. I’m not sure what I’d recommend pairing it with, it’s just so good on its own. But if you have to have it with food, I’d probably suggest a succulent prime cut steak, and I’m not a much of a meat fan, but this wine is ballsy, creamy and magnificent, so it needs a solid accompaniment that’s not overly fussy.

If you’re nervous about picking Portuguese table wines, the guys from Adegga are working on a great solution to fix that, and if they have their way… soon choosing any wine will be a cinch, so check them out at adegga.com

If you have trouble finding these wines, ask at restaurants, check independent importers or specialty wine shops and put the pressure on, for good Portuguese wines, I promise you won’t regret it.

Comments

2 Responses to “Marias da Malhadinha – Portuguese Table Wines”

André Ribeirinho on November 16th, 2007 11:37 pm

Both Marias da Malhadinha and Cortes de Cima Reserva represent some of the best wines from the Alentejo wine region. They are just wonderful! Good wines from that region taste like the hot weather that drives through Alentejo in the summer.

It was great fun spending the day with you guys. Lots of amazing wines, lots of good food and lots of good talk. What can I ask more?
Eddie on November 18th, 2007 10:08 am

Hi Andre, how about another bottle of Cortes de Cima! ;o)

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