Portugal Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar

If you’ve been following along, you know I love a good themed tasting. This Portugal wine tasting at Stem Wine Bar might be one of my favorites yet. It had a little bit of everything. Think bright Vinho Verdes, bold reds, and decadent Ports. Plus, the pairings really stood out.

We kicked things off with a pre-starter cocktail (lovingly dubbed “The Italian”). It set the tone for a relaxed, wine-filled evening. From the very start, everything just clicked.

As always, Brian brought the knowledge as our in-house sommelier. He guided us through each region and varietal. Meanwhile, Paul and Jules kept everything running seamlessly. And Chef Dom? He absolutely delivered with a menu that paired beautifully with every pour.

With three curated rounds, a bonus flight, and plenty of memorable bites, this tasting was a full journey through Portugal. One glass at a time.

Round 1: Coastal Freshness & Bright Beginnings

This Portugal wine tasting started off on a bright, refreshing note with two expressions from Vinho Verde.

Alveleda, Vinho Verde 2024, Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura, & Fernao Pires
Food Pairing: Tuna Escabeche – citrus, olive oil, fresh herbs

• Smell & Taste: Light, crisp, and ultra-refreshing. Bright citrus leads the way, followed by green pear and a soft floral note. There’s a slight effervescence that gives it that classic Vinho Verde lift.
• Winery Note: Aveleda is one of the most well-known producers in the Vinho Verde region, crafting approachable wines that highlight the area’s fresh, coastal style.
• Pairing Highlight: The tuna escabeche was a perfect opener. The citrus, olive oil, and fresh herbs mirrored the wine’s brightness, making each bite and sip feel even more vibrant.

Vera, Vinho Verde 2024, Rabo de Anho & Vinhao
Food Pairing: Charred Portuguese octopus – smoked paprika oil, crispy potatoes, pork crackling dust, parsley

• Smell & Taste: A deeper, more structured expression. Darker fruit comes through with a slightly earthy edge, balanced by fresh acidity and a subtle grip on the finish.
• Winery Note: Vinho Verde gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s as a refreshing alternative to Coca-Cola and other soft drinks, quickly becoming the go-to choice for light, easy drinking at lunch and social gatherings. This wine is a great reminder of that approachable, everyday style.
• Pairing Highlight: The charred Portuguese octopus was a standout. Smoky paprika oil, crispy potatoes, and that pork crackling dust added richness and texture that played beautifully with the wine.

Round Two: Bold Reds & Layered Flavors

As this Portugal wine tasting continued, the wines shifted into deeper, more structured reds with bold flavors and rich pairings.

José de Sousa Alentejano 2017, Grand Noir, Trincadeira, & Aragones
Food Pairing: Grilled Piri-Piri Chicken – charred lemon, roasted red peppers, smoked paprika ju

• Smell & Taste: Dark ruby in color with rich, inviting aromas of black cherry, plum, and baking spice, layered with a hint of earth and dried herbs. On the palate, it’s smooth and structured, with dark fruit, subtle pepper, and a touch of smokiness on the finish.
• Winery Note: José de Sousa is a historic estate in the Alentejo region, known for blending traditional techniques, like clay amphora fermentation, with modern winemaking to create wines that feel both rustic and refined.
• Pairing Highlight: The grilled piri-piri chicken brought bold flavor and just the right amount of heat. The charred lemon and smoked paprika tied in beautifully with the wine’s spice and depth.

Duorum “Tons de Duorum” Douro Valley 2022, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb & olive – lolipop lamb chop, olive tapenade, roasted carrots, rosemary ju

• Smell & Taste: Deep ruby with purple hue with aromas of raspberry, ripe plum, and rose petal, layered with hints of leather and vanilla. Full-bodied and polished, with dark fruit up front, balanced tannins, and a smooth, lingering finish.
• Winery Note: Duorum is a newer project rooted in generations of Douro winemaking expertise, focused on showcasing the region’s powerful yet elegant style.
• Pairing Highlight: The grilled lollipop lamb chop completely stole the show. Between the olive tapenade, roasted carrots, and rosemary jus, this pairing was rich, savory, and perfectly matched to the wine’s bold structure.

Round Three: Sweet Finishes & Fortified Favorites

Ramos Pinto Ruby Port Douro NV, Touriga Franca & Tinta Barroca
Food Pairing: Roasted blackberries – warm berries, shaved serrano, manchego, toasted sourdough, rosemary

• Smell & Taste: Dark red in color with vibrant aromas of ripe blackberry, plum, and cherry compote, layered with hints of cinnamon and spice. On the palate, it’s rich and fruit-forward, with a smooth, slightly sweet finish that lingers just enough.
• Winery Note: Founded in the late 1800s, Ramos Pinto is known for its innovative approach to Port production, helping to modernize the category while staying rooted in tradition.
• Pairing Highlight: The roasted blackberries were unforgettable. Warm berries, shaved serrano, manchego, and toasted sourdough created that perfect sweet-savory balance that elevated the wine.

Blandy’s 5 Year Malmsey Madeira NV, Malvasia (Malmsey)
Food Pairing: Almond tart, sea salt, citrus zest

• Smell & Taste: Amber-gold in color with layered aromas of caramel, toasted nuts, citrus peel, and dried apricot. Rich and silky on the palate, with notes of toffee and honey balanced by bright acidity that keeps it from feeling too heavy.
• Winery Note: Blandy’s is one of Madeira’s most historic producers, with a family legacy spanning over 200 years and a reputation for crafting age-worthy fortified wines.
• Pairing Highlight: The almond tart with sea salt and citrus zest was the perfect finish. The sweetness of the tart and the brightness from the citrus pulled everything together beautifully.

Bonus Flight: A Deeper Dive into the Douro

Quinta do Ataíde Douro Valley 2016, Touriga Nacional

• Smell & Taste: Deep garnet in color with expressive aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry, and blackberry, layered with hints of spice and a touch of earth. On the palate, it’s structured and elegant, with firm tannins, concentrated dark fruit, and a long, refined finish.
• Winery Note: Quinta do Ataíde is known for its focus on sustainability and for showcasing Touriga Nacional in its purest form, highlighting both the power and elegance of the Douro.

Dow’s Colheita Tawny Douro Valley 2007, Tinta Barocca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cao

• Smell & Taste: Warm amber in color with complex aromas of dried fig, caramel, toasted nuts, and baking spice. Silky and layered on the palate, with notes of toffee, raisin, and a hint of orange peel, leading to a smooth, lingering finish.
• Winery Note: Dow’s is one of the most respected Port houses, known for producing structured, age-worthy wines. Colheita Tawny Ports are aged in barrels from a single vintage, offering a beautiful balance of richness and complexity.

My Favorites of the Night from our Portugal Wine Tasting

There were a lot of standout moments throughout this Portugal wine tasting, but a few dishes and wines really stuck with me.

Top Food Picks

• Tuna escabeche
• Grilled lollipop lamb chop
• Roasted blackberries

Each of these brought something different to the table, from bright and refreshing to rich and savory to perfectly sweet. The lamb chop in particular? Still thinking about it.

Top Wine Picks

• Aveleda Vinho Verde
• José de Sousa Alentejano 2017
• Ramos Pinto Ruby Port

This lineup had a little bit of everything. The Aveleda was crisp and easy-drinking, the José de Sousa brought depth and structure, and the Ruby Port was just straight-up delicious to finish the night.

Final Pour

Overall, this Portugal wine tasting at Stem Wine Bar was a perfect reminder of how diverse and exciting Portuguese wines can be. From crisp, refreshing Vinho Verde to bold Douro reds and indulgent fortified wines, each round built on the last. Plus, the thoughtful pairings and welcoming atmosphere made the experience even better.

If you’re local—or planning a visit—Stem hosts wine tastings monthly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. So, there are plenty of chances to join in. I already secured my spot for the next one: April’s Northern Italy tasting, which you can check out here.

Additionally, if you want to see how this one compares, you can check out the greatest hits tasting here.

So whether you’re just getting into wine or already planning your next tasting night, this is one experience worth adding to your list.