Wine Blogging Wednesday #38: Portuguese Table Wine

Hopefully this reboarding of the Wine Blogging Wednesday train will be more permanent than my last.  I’ve missed three altogether since hearing about it, despite good intentions. This is actually my first one here on Behind the Vines, as my other seven participation posts were on Wine Outlook.

But here I am now, tasting Portuguese table wine thanks to Ryan and Gabriella over at Catavino. I recently enjoyed the 2005 Encostas Do Lima and had another Vinho Verde in my fridge from a purchase before I even knew this WBW’s theme. But I decided I’d rather try a red from Portugal, as I know I tend to like the spritzy, easy whites.

I was drawn to the 2005 Tonal–a red wine from Douro– not because of its colorful label, but due to its statement about a lack of any oak treatment. All stainless steel? I couldn’t help but wonder how would that 30% Tinta Roriz, 30% Touriga Franca, 30% Tinta Barroca, 10% Touriga Nacional stack up without the tannin, the spices, and other flavors–along with the softening capability– that come from oak? But since I enjoy unoaked whites, why not give a red one a try….

This particular bottle is from Trader Joe’s for a mere $4.99. Alcohol comes in at 12.5%. On the nose, I found raspberry, cherry, and juniper berries. There were traces of plastic initially, but they blew away. Tasting it brought more of the red fruit, especially the cherry, with high acidity and slight hints of anise and roses. Fairly simple, definitely light and fruity. I drank it with a BLT and skillet potatoes.

My conclusion? It might not be something I’d leap at trying again, but I’m always willing to branch out and try new things, so I’m glad I had it. A Portuguese table red without oak? That’s a definite reason in giving this one a go, especially in conjunction with the very low price. It would also be fun to take to a blind tasting and see if people can figure out what it is.

I couldn’t determine whether this was a normal method of fermentation for reds in Portugal. It seems the style of table wines in Douro range from a light claret to a rich Burgundian wannabe, with an emphasis on new oak. I also couldn’t find any information on the producer. Therefore, I’m curious to see if anyone else reviewed this particular bottle, and if he or she was a better detective than I.