Loving Those Portuguese Still Wines with Liz Mendez of Vera
We know our Port but do we all give the still wines of Portugal enough attention? Listen in as Liz Mendez of Vera Restaurant in Chicago picks a few of her favs. Mendez is best known for her encyclopedic knowledge of Sherry, and she discussed this with me in my past Date with a Somm article in Somm Journal. Now, she goes into her second love of Portuguese wines, many of which are on her acclaimed wine list. 
Now, tune in for her Portuguese wine suggestions below:
2012 Alvaro Castro, Encruzado, Dao Region Portugal
Mendez likens this to a Chardonnay, reminding her of Chablis and even a California Chardonnay with it’s body and weight. She feels that’s the connection for a consumer to make, to try this new wine.
Flavors range from lemon meringue pie due to richness of lees aging, plus a hint of sweetness rounds off the robust weight, This Encruzado also has a nice pop of acidity. Mendez feels this could please both the Sauvignon Blanc fan as well as the classic Chardonnay fan. She could see pairing this with crab, olives or a starter of Manchego cheese.
2011 Symington Pombal do Vesuvio,  Douro Valley,  Touriga Franca and Touriga National
Mendez considers this Douro Valley the “heart of Bordeaux” in Portugal. The aromas remind her of Bordeaux wines that are ready to drink, even while this is made of two indigenous grapes for the Douro region rather than those Bordeaux varietals. The structure is what reminds her distinctly of French wine even while this wine is a bit fresher tasting and approachable. It’s an extremely food friendly wine served at Vera, and she especially likes it with the classic dish Fabada, a white bean stew  with pork and chorizo.
Portugal has found its way into Mendez’s heart and she adores promoting these wines at the restaurant.
Please Listen to Past Episodes and Subscribe
You can check out the past few episodes but if you SUBSCRIBE , you’ll receive each new episode right to your device, whichever one you listen to your podcasts on.  Share episodes across social media channels, as well, to let others discover our wine conversations. A few of the most recent include:
Master Sommelier Willie Sherer of Redd Restaurant on Holiday Wine Picks!
Biodynamic DaVero Owner Ridgely Evers Talks Olive Farming and Wine
Honor Mansion’s Steve Fowler Talks Healsdburg and more
Hugh Davies of Schramsberg on Wine for the Holidays
Napa Valley Film Festival Featured Winemaker Anthony Bell of “Decanted”
Stewart Cellars Blair Guthrie on their new Yountville Tasting Room
Check Out Del Frisco Chicago’s New Wine Director Amy Lutchen