Have you caught Olympic fever yet? The only prescription is to get your fill of events this long weekend and to raise a glass to the winners. There is something beautiful about so many nations coming together to celebrate sport and push it to new heights. This week’s wine, Vale do Bomfim 2015, also comes from a history of nations uniting, in this case within a single family to push the wines of the Douro region of Portugal to new heights.
Tasting Notes: A blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and other local grapes, this is a power-packed red blend. The tannins have grip, the red and black berry fruit is delicious, and there is a rustic, earthy element typical in many old-world wines. This is a wine that gets better with time in the bottle, the decanter or the glass.
Enjoy With: Grilled meats and sausage, pizza, burgers, strong cheeses and richly flavoured stews (venison or lamb).
Style: A full-bodied red which is fruity, earthy and robust.
Terroir/Region: The Douro Valley of Portugal is home to the Symington family’s Quinta do Bomfim, where Vale do Bomfim is sourced and made. The heat of the region helps ripen the most highly regarded Portuguese grapes, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, while the soils hold just enough moisture for vines to grow concentrated, intensely flavoured grapes.
Producer: The Symington family, with Scottish, English and Portuguese ancestry, has been present in the Douro Valley since 1882 and has built a stable of some of the finest Douro estates while remaining a family owned and operated company. The history of Quinta do Bomfim lies in making Port wine, however, the Symingtons began making table wine from the estate as well, just as a house wine. Vale do Bomfim soon gained such a following that they began bottling it for export.
Availability: The 2015 Vale do Bomfim is being released on February 17th into the Vintages section of your local LCBO, but some stores will already have it on shelf. The Portuguese team at the Olympics may not be very big, but the Portuguese flavour in your glass will be giant!
Price: $15.95
LCBO#: 167676
Size: 750 mL
Alcohol Content: 14.5% alc./vol.
