Portuguese Wine Tasting

For the last 10 weeks I've been attending Portuguese language classes at the Sausalito Portuguese Hall on Sunday evenings with my younger sister, Lisa.  My Dad is Portuguese and my Mom was born and raised in Brazil, so growing up, the Portuguese language was spoken predominately in our home.  My parents spoke it to us {and still do} and we spoke back to them in English.  We were never forced to speak Portuguese but now wish we were.  I think learning to speak Portuguese, or any foreign language, as a child comes much more easily than learning to speak as an adult.

Last night was our last class of the 10 week long session.  It was a Portuguese party, held at a fellow class member's home with plenty of food, pot luck style and Portuguese wine and Port tasting as well.  I'm sure you can guess what my contribution was....yes, my favorite cheese of all time, Portuguese St. George cheese with fig spread and crusty bread.  

It was very interesting learning the origin of Portuguese wine from Eugenio Jardin and Porto {Port} from Nelson Ascenso along with the different regions of wine growing in Portugal.  My next trip to Portugal will need to include a tour of the Douro Valley, near the border of Spain in mainland Portugal, where Port and many other wines are grown.

Port is typically drank as a dessert wine.  It's very strong, sweet and it's made by mixing wine with brandy bringing the alcohol content up to around 20%.  My friend, Vasco, gave us the fantastic idea of mixing a bit in with your morning coffee.  Perfect for a snow trip I think.

My favorite Porto of the night was the Niepoort 10 Tawny, blended with different wines averaging 10 years. Just like regular wine, Ports come in dry, sweet, rosso, white and many different varieties.

All in all, it was a fantastic end to a fabulous class.  And I really think drinking Portuguese wine helps me to become a better Portuguese speaker.....at least it did last night.

Are you a fan of drinking Port?  If so, what's your favorite?

If you're local and interested in taking Portuguese language lessons, classes at the Sausalito Portuguese Hall are held in the Spring and the Fall.

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Vine and Barrel Portuguese & Spanish Event

Saturday my sister, Lisa and I attended a Spanish & Portuguese wine tasting event at Vine and Barrel.  If you remember my recent post about my Portuguese heritage, you know that my family is Portuguese and I try to attend anything Portuguese, if I can.

Vine and Barrel is owned by a Petaluma native, Jason Jenkins, whom I went to high school with way back when.  The wine shop is located in historic downtown Petaluma in a building that was once a speakeasy and served as both a brothel and card room at one time.  As you walk into the wine shop, you could almost feel what it was like way back then.  In the front door, you walk into a long, narrow room with high ceilings.   Wine bottles line the dark red and warm tone tan painted walls.  A chandelier hangs from above in the center of the room, giving it a cozy glow. 

Lisa trying out some Portuguese wine.

The tapas that were served were Delicious!  My favorite, of course, were the bacon wrapped dates.  Almost like my Portuguese Roll ups but these had an walnut stuffed inside and a tangy sauce (possibly BBQ sauce) over the top.  SO GOOD!  I think I ate four or five of them!

I've been eating WAY too much bacon lately.

I think I may have a problem.

The tapas were plentiful and all included with the $30 per person cost of the event.

There were a number of wines to taste from the Spanish and Portuguese regions.  I really enjoyed tasting the different varietals.  They're so different from the California wines I'm used to.  This is what makes visiting a wine shop, such as Vine and Barrel so different than wine tasting at wineries......you can taste wines from around the world, all under one roof.

They have over a 600 bottle selection available.  Something can be found for every budget. 

Back for one more snack, before it was time to leave.  I can't say no to cheese either.

If you ever get the chance to attend one of these events, do it, you will not be disappointed!

Happy Sunday!

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