Wine From Spain & Portugal

They certainly can’t be called “undiscovered,” but I think it’s fair to say that for many wine lovers, Spain and Portugal often fall under the radar compared to the unquestionably dominant France, Italy, and California. That being said, these two countries (Portugal, especially) seem to be surging in popularity within the wine-drinking community at the moment, and, delightfully, it is becoming easier to find a wide range of quality Spanish and Portuguese bottles here in the United States. Today, I’m highlighting two unique wines from this perhaps still under-appreciated corner of the wine world - one from an up-and-coming producer in Portugal and the other from a tiny, but already widely critically acclaimed, winery in Spain.

2020 Pormenor Reserva Branco $45

From the Douro DOC in northern Portugal, made with a blend of rarely-seen Rabigato and Malvasia Fina grapes. Pormenor owner and winemaker, Pedro Coelho, works exclusively with indigenous varietals and native yeasts, relying on a heavy Burgundian influence in an attempt to capture the freshness and elegance of the local fruit. This 2020 Reserva Branco has a rich, complex nose with notes of apple, honey, white flowers, and toasted nuts. On the palate it is juicy and clean, with bursts of lemon fruit and zest. Enjoy now, or cellar it for a few years, as it will continue to evolve and improve with age.

2019 Espectacle del Montsant $154

In the Montsant subregion of Catalonia in northern Spain, grapevines were first introduced by the Romans, meaning there is a great deal of heritage behind the old vine garnacha used in this Espectacle. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rated the 2019 vintage an astounding 99 points, saying: "It's always an exciting moment tasting a new vintage of the wine from one of the most beautiful vineyards in Montsant, and the 2019 Espectacle del Montsant didn't disappoint… the wine is hedonistic, nuanced and complex, with very good acidity, which is one of the characteristics that makes this vintage so complete. Despite everything, the wine is medium to full-bodied and comes through as perfumed and ethereal… This is truly spectacular."


Did one (or more) of these wines pique your interest? There are multiple ways to order with us! If you place your purchase through our online store, we’ll be happy to package and hold your bottles for you to pick up at your convenience. You can also email us and ask us to set aside any bottles you’re interested in picking up at a later date. If you have any questions or would like to make special arrangements such as shipping, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (919) 644-1243.