Wine of the week: Casa Ferreirinha Planalto 2019

This Portugese white wine shows once again that Portugal delivers quality and value

First, it was Portuguese red wines. Now, it’s Portuguese whites. The wine world, once we get out of the pigeon holes assigned to us by our betters, is an amazing place. There’s quality and value, if only we would look.

The Casa Ferreirinha Planalto 2019 ($11, sample, 12.5%) shows, like its country’s reds, how far the whites have come. It’s not old, yellow-ish and oxidized, as often used to be the case. Rather, it’s fresh, vibrant, and fruity, a truly amazing wine at this price.

Know, first, that it’s a blend, just as most of Portugal’s reds are. But don’t worry if you haven’t heard of any of the grapes: viosinho, malvasia fina, gouveio, arinto, and códeg. Vioainho and malvasia fino, for example, have been traditionally been used to make port.

Know, second, that the wine offers a little lime, something tropical in the middle, and a long, clean finish. Frankly, I was stunned – yes, Portuguese whites have continued to improve, but I didn’t know they had improved this much.

Chill this and drink it on its own as summer ends, or pair it with grilled seafood or chicken marinated in garlic and olive oil. Highly recommended, and candidate for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

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