Wine with Leslie: The best Portuguese wines are rosé for 13 euros.

I've always heard of Portugal being a sort of "brother" nation to Ireland. Both of these nations share a long Atlantic coastline, we share a time zone, and we both have a large neighbor to the east that hasn't always been friendly.

I hear that per capita, more tourists from Ireland visit Portugal than any other country, and anecdotally, I don't think I know an Irish person who hasn't been there a few times. Most often it's simple sun or golf vacations on the Algarve, but city tours to Lisbon and Porto have reminded the Irish how important food and wine are in Portuguese culture.

I spent most of my time in northern Portugal, visiting the regions of Dão, Douro''and Vinho Verde, but I've also been to Alentejo, which is beautiful, virtually devoid of tourists and has excellent wines from producers such as Esporão, Herdade Dos Grous and Malhadinha Nova.

Just as the Michelin Guide recently discovered Ireland, he found Portugal, and there is great food to be had there.

The difference is that Portugal has a greater emphasis on the fecundity of the Atlantic, something we've never had. The most exhilarating meal I experienced in Portugal was at The Yeatman restaurant, in the five-star hotel of the same name, owned by Port Taylor. It has two Michelin stars and a very creative menu, as does another Michelin 2-star restaurant, Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, which is so close to the sea that waves can splash against the windows. I also adore Pedro' eponymous restaurant'Lemouche-a suburb of Foz Porto (our Dolcea, you might say) where the Douro meets the sea. Lemouche is as charming as its food is elegant and creative.

My selections of Portuguese wines this week are full of fruity notes and vibrancy without wowing your bank account. Some of these wines can be purchased at TheAllotment.ie, a great online retailer that will be offering a Black Friday promotion later this month.

Wines under 15 euros

• Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Rosé, Portugal - €12.95
• Seixo Amarelo Reserva, Douro, Portugal - €14.95ТАG/li>
• Casa Santos Lima'. "Colossal" Branco Reserva, Lisbon - 15-16 euros

Wine over 15 euros

• Bojador Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal - 15-17 euros
• Quinta do Vale Meão - '\''Meandro Tinto'\'', Douro, Portugal - €25-26ТАG/li>
• Malhadinha Nova, '\''Monte de Peceguina'\'' 2021, Alentejo, Portugal - €24.95

Spirits of the Week

There are many links between Ireland and the Caribbean, it's even said that the Jamaican accent owes much to the Irish indentured servants who were exiled there. This superb new limited edition Jameson is a blend of grain and patina spirits, aged first in barrels of Barbados rum (Foursquare Distillery) for 18 years and then another 3 years in Havana Club Cuban rum barrels. On''The nose has an orange-gold hue, aromas of tangerine, fig, cut grass, nutmeg and honey dough - on the palate it's rounded, with spice and pepper. Creamy flavors of baked orange with brightness of fruit and lingering sweet spice with hints of dark sugar from the rum barrels. Limited quantities are only 2,900 bottles, so don't delay.

Original:https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/foodanddrink/wineanddrink/john-wilson-delicious-portuguese-wines-that-wont-break-the-bank-1093427.html