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Column: An exquisite pairing of Portuguese wines with Wildebeest’s cuisine - part two

Being in social isolation can often get monotonous as weeks turn into months. You can add adventure to your by trying new wines. And the wines of Portugal are a good place to begin. Portugal has always been a wine innovator.

Being in social isolation can often get monotonous as weeks turn into months. You can add adventure to your by trying new wines. And the wines of Portugal are a good place to begin.

Portugal has always been a wine innovator. It established the first demarcated and regulated wine region: the Douro Valley -- now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Portuguese were the first to bring European wines to the Americas and to Asia.

In 2014, three out of the top four world wines were Portuguese.

In 2015, nine out of the 100 best buys in American wine magazines were from Portugal.

Jancis Robinson, one of the U.K.’s top wine critics, ranked Portuguese red wines the highest in 13 years of tasting.

In 2016, Portugal’s Douro and Alentejo were voted as some of the best wine regions to visit.

Last week, I began reporting on an amazing Portuguese wine dinner at Wildebeest in Gastown. All of the wines were produced in the Alentejo region at the Herdade das Servas Winery.

The most amazing pairing of wine and food was the rainbow carrot salad course with elderflower vinegar, spiced maple granola, ricotta and rosemary. What made this really stand out was the accompanying red wine, the 2015 Herdade das Servas Touriga Nacional ($47.99*).

I was initially shocked! Salad and red wine?

But everyone at our table was pleasantly surprised that this was their favourite combo. The Touriga Nacional displayed aromas of red currant and blackberry, violets, and chocolate. Five years of aging revealed smooth tannins and a rich finish. Wine and salad can be a challenging pairing and here was a red wine matching this eclectic carrot salad so well. Who knew?

Our final main course was the Venison Pithivier with Oregon Grape jus, and smoked buttermilk mash enjoyed with the 2013 Estremoz Reserva Tinto ($49.33*). Like many Portuguese wines, it’s a blend. There’s Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alfarocheiro, and Aragonez which are aged for a year in French and American oak and a further year in the bottle. Both the blending and the seven years of aging created layers of flavours and complexity.

Both Touriga Nacional red and this Reserva were my favourite wines. The blackcurrant and red fruits such as cherries and plums, with spice and subtle hints of chocolate and licorice were a sensational match for the medium rare venison.

Finally we were treated to a decadent Chocolate and Okanagan Plum dessert with water buffalo yoghurt and Fraser Valley hazelnuts. And to accompany this rich dish, was the Licoroso Red ($429.90 for a case of 10), which is a superb port-like fortified wine produced from Alicante Bourschet, Trincadeira and Aragonez grapes.

Aged for two years in French and American oak, the Licoroso Red is similar to a Port. But because it’s not produced in the Douro, it cannot be called Port. Ruby coloured, it has a plum personality with sweetness, jam, chocolate, and dried fruit and an incredibly long finish. The Locoroso was exquisite with the dessert!

Licoroso is only available at the agency, VenPort Wines. 604-505-2809

Most of the other Herdade das Servas wines are available at Everything Wine and Liquor Depot. Prices will be slightly higher than the hospitality price quoted. Contact the BCLDB or the above private stores for purchasing the Touriga Nacional or the Reserva by the three- or six- bottle case.

Eric Hanson is a life-long Richmond resident, retired teacher and wine educator. Eric has also taught wine appreciation courses in Richmond and throughout Metro Vancouver for many years. He continues to be a journalistic ambassador for the enchanting world of wine through his weekly column.