What does wine need saving from you ask. From boredom. Every industry gets stale without fresh players to keep us entertained. Wine has gone through an unbelievable period of quality stuff at affordable prices – even a novice was sure to come home with something very drinkable. But we all get bored. We can only live so long with Chardonnay and Cabernet. Wine needs something new. Wine needs Portugal!
The Portuguese wine industry did something bold in the 90s when it rejected expert marketing advice. Instead of transplanting with internationally popular grape varieties, it chose to stay with its native vines. Cries of ‘suicidal’ were heard all around. Fast forward to today and we find Portugal offering the world alternatives to Chard and Cab. Much needed fresh faces in wine.
So, what are these alternatives? Nothing too magical, but different enough to keep a wine drinker entertained. Just as singers and musicians keep our attention with subtle differences in style and content. Portugal offers us new attention getters. At the most basic level native Portuguese grape varieties offer entreating names such as Antao Vaz and her cousin Maria Gomes. Who wouldn’t want at least one dates with these characters – before moving on to Viosinho, Encruzado and Castelao. All of which are not hugely different in taste from what you’re currently drinking, but it’s all about a change, and the feeling of something different, even if only slightly. We all need a new friend.
I know you’re dying to hear about some of my new Portuguese wine friends and you will, as soon as I learn to spell all the names. And the LCBO gets on board with something better than their current offerings.
How Portugal Saved Wine!
