Portuguese non-fortified red and white wines are off the radar for most folks. For almost everyone, Port is the only wine associated with a country that is rich and varied in its offerings for the œnophile. For that very reason, you can find some pretty amazing bargains when it comes to the $10 and under category if you know what you're looking for. I don't know about you, but I'm very pleased if I can find a wine that is good enough for everyday consumption that comes in at a price that I can afford to drink a couple of times a week. That's why I was so excited to discover "Adriano" Red made by the venerable Port house, Ramos Pinto on my last wine shopping excursion.I have a feeling that part of the reason Portuguese reds are so misunderstood and under appreciated is because they are made from grapes that we Americans have a hard time pronouncing. Because of our country's labeling laws, we tend to order wine in restaurants and shop for it in stores by looking for our favorite varietal: Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, etc. You won't see these varietals in Portuguese wines at all. Instead you'll see difficult to pronounce and spell regions like Duoro, Alentenjo, and Estramadura and obscure varietals like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. Indeed, the "Adriano" red is made from a blend of these three grapes, and it's named for the region it comes from, the Duoro. These factors work against the consumer as obstacles between them and the cash register in an unassisted sales environment.
What the Portuguese and their wines do have going for them is a lot of farming know-how, a rich wine-making culture, relatively cheap labor, and a new interest from foreign investment. In the case of Ramos Pinto's "Adriano" Red, the folks in sales make things a lot more appealing to the consumer by designing beautiful, even sexy, packaging and creating an easy name that just about anyone can comfortably pronounce. The price certainly doesn't hurt either. I snatched up 6 bottles on sale at my favorite wine shop for $6 each! In all honesty, it would be a bargain at twice the price, but I'm not telling my friends at the liquor store.
