Sarah Ahmed – The Wine Detective

You could be forgiven for thinking that Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc rule the world.  So what joy that Portugal has a glittering array of over 300 native grape varieties planted across some thirty wine regions, spread from head to toe.  The result: a rich kaleidoscope of unique flavours, textures and aromas.

And right now, Portugal is really exciting because winemaking bravado wed to viticultural excellence is unleashing the full potential of these diverse grape varieties and regions. With few exceptions – the Douro Boys are a fabulous example  – this dynamism has yet to be projected on the world stage. As a writer passionate about Portuguese wines, it’s frustrating when, behind the scenes, there are so many unsung heroes – be that producers, wine styles or regions – yet to make their mark.  Following my appointment as Portuguese Annual Wine Awards Wine Writer of the Year 2009,  I was given the honour of selecting the line up for the annual Fifty Great Portuguese Wines press and trade tasting in 2010 -  a fantastic opportunity to showcase Portugal’s dynamic and diverse wine scene.  You can read all about my choice here.

As a frequent flyer to Portugal, for which I contribute to Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book, I continue to keep my finger firmly on the pulse and, in my reports, I’ll be lifting the curtain on the backstage heroes as well as writing about established players.   I also contributed on Portugal for the 8th edition of award winning publication Wine Behind the Label, released in 2011.  You can read a “taster edition” and obtain a special The Wine Detective 10% discount on Wine Behind the Label by clicking here.  (I should declare that I receive a percentage of any book purchase made via this link here and a royalty on future sales).

With effect from 2011, I am the Regional Chair for Portuguese table wines for Decanter World Wine Awards, the world’s biggest wine competition.

Portugal Reports

• Symington Family Estates: A tasting of Single Quinta Vintage Ports (1950-2006) 03/11/2011
• Symington Family Estate table wines, revolution & evolution 19/08/2011
• Blandy’s Bicentennial Madeira Tasting – the most comprehensive range of old and rare vintages ever assembled by the family 22/06/2011
• Tom Cannavan’s 50 Great Portuguese Wines – my picks of the bunch 08/06/2011
• 2009 Vintage Ports 02/06/2011
• The Douro: visiting Jorge Moreira part 1 (Poeira & Quinta de la Rosa) 27/05/2011
• Niepoort Colheitas: the philosophy and a fine vertical of the 1937, 1934, 1912, 1900 & 1863 11/05/2011
• The truly unique wines of Bussaco Palace Hotel – “a cathedral of wine” 08/04/2011
• The Douro: a visit with Lavradores de Feitoria 26/03/2011
• 1.º Encontro e Prova Internacional de Vinho: 40 old & rare fortified wines, a unique tasting 23/03/2011
• Álvaro de Castro & Dirk Niepoort Dado/Doda vertical 21/03/2011
• The New Douro Tasting – 2008 releases reviewed 27/01/2011
• The Douro Boys: mineral-sluiced 2008 reds and powerfully fruity 2009 whites 14/01/2011
• Niepoort Projectos tasting plus, first taste, Niepoort’s maiden crusted Port 07/01/2011
• Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores 2010: Andresen – fabulous Colheita Ports, back to 1910 23/12/2010
• Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores 2010: a vertical of Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho and, first taste, Soalheiro Dócil 29/11/2010
• Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores 2010: the magic of aged white Port with Pedro Sá, winemaker at Kopke 16/11/2010
• Encontro com o Vinho e Sabores 2010: Encruzado tasting with João Paulo Martins 12/11/2010
• Quinta Nova De Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Port, wines, walks & hotel 27/10/2010
• Douro4u group tasting – some smart & promising wines 28/09/2010
• Vinho Verde – tasting with the guru, Anselmo Mendes 03/09/2010
• Afros – Divinho Verde 25/08/2010
• Vinho Verde – an Alvarinho fest in Melgaço 02/08/2010
• The Big Fortified Tasting & LIWF 2010: Portuguese fortifieds round up 17/06/2010
• The Douro from nose to tail: red, white & pink 04/06/2010
• Symington Family Estates: first taste 2008 ports & wine 01/06/2010
• Fladgate first taste: 2008 Single Quinta Vintage Ports cask samples 17/05/2010
• Bridging the generations: Taylor’s, the art of blending Tawny Port 10/05/2010
• Portugal Annual tasting 2010 – close encounters of a new kind 21/04/2010
• Won-Dão-ful – Quinta da Falorca, the Dão, Portugal 24/02/2010
• My 50 Great Portuguese Wines, 2010 11/02/2010
• Sampling – head to toe highlights, including a couple from Colares 07/02/2010
• The Douro & Esporão, Alentejo in December 18/01/2010
• Alentejo travels & Vinipax, October 2009 10/11/2009
• The Douro Boys – 2007 table wines & port 18/09/2009
• Soalheiro Vinho Verde, a visit and vertical – very VV 28/08/2009
• Algarve, new life, new wave – Sir Cliff Richard, the Birch family and Adega do Cantor 08/08/2009
• Northerly Portuguese regional focus, July 2009 30/07/2009
• IWA – tastings with the Independent Winegrowers’ Association, 2008 & 2009 29/07/2009
• Port, launch of the 2007 vintage 27/05/2009
• 50 Great Portuguese wines: 2009 28/01/2009
• Portugal – reviewing recent releases, November 2008 30/11/2008
• Port: a varied tasting including age dated white ports and some fine colheitas 27/11/2008
• Port: a Croft masterclass 23/11/2008
• Douro – 2006 vintage 28/10/2008
• Port – a Fonseca tasting with David Guimaraens 04/09/2008
• 50 Great Portuguese wines 2008 & travels 2007/2008 27/06/2008
• Port: different tastings, 2007 27/10/2007
• Port: Fladgate & Symington visits, 2007 20/09/2007
• Madeira, a visit in 2007 28/01/2007
• The Wine Detective Portugal tasting, July 2006 28/07/2006
• 50 Great Portuguese wines: 2006 29/01/2006
• Douro – 2003 vintage 28/10/2005
• Portuguese wine tasting for Yorkshire Sommeliers, 2005 27/07/2005
• Port: launch of the 2003 vintage, Fladgate, Symington & Noval 27/03/2005
• 50 Great Portuguese wines: 2005 27/01/2005