Sandeman Quinta dos Carvailhas Late Bottled Vintage Port 2000, Douro, Portugal: An outstanding value for this lovely after-dinner drink!Rich plummy notes of prune and cassis preserves. 113878 20.50% 750 mL $16.95 Score: 87/100. December 21, 2020
Full ReviewFonseca Porto Bin 27, Douro Valley, Portugal: This full-bodied dessert wine offers aromas and flavours of fleshy purple and black plums with blackberry liqueur. Layered and rich. Drink: 2018-2027. 325506 20% S 750 mL $16.95 Score: 92/100. May 20, 2022
Best Value Red Wine. Divine Dessert Wine Full ReviewJosé Maria da Fonseca Domini 2015, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: José Maria Da Fonseca`s Domini 2015 is a robust Douro red made mostly with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Francesa. Great price as well. Pair with roast duck. Drink: 2019-2024. 452730 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. November 10, 2021
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewCurvos Loureiro 2017, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: Light and citrusy with peach and light herbal flavours on the palate, Curvos 2017 is so pretty on the nose with ripe peach blossom and apricot. Produced from 100% Loureiro from the Vinho Verde wine region, delicious with light and fresh seafood dishes. Chill and enjoy all of its sun-shine goodness now. Drink: 2018-2020. 471284 12% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. January 5, 2019
Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full ReviewProva Cega 2017, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: A robust Portuguese red with dark plum, chocolate, fine dried herb aromas on the nose. dark cherry, red plum, mocha, anise and savoury spice flavours on the palate. Structured dusty tannins. Drink: 2019-2022. 446054 14% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. September 25, 2020
Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full ReviewCurvos Loureiro 2019, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: Produced from 100% Loureiro grapes from the Vinho Verde wine region, with aromas of lime, white florals and ripe peach on the nose. Slightly spritzy and vibrant with white florals, ripe melon and lime-lemon zest flavours that linger on the palate. Chill and enjoy on its own or pair with grilled sardines. Drink: 2020-2022. 471284 12% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 20, 2020
Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full ReviewFonseca Moscatel de Setubal 2012, Setubal D.O.P., Portugal Drink: 2020-2023. 14047 17.50% S 750 mL $16.95. April 1, 2020
Full ReviewCasa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva 2017, Lisboa, Portugal: Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva 2017 has colossal flavour with rich dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry, fine herbs and spice on the palate at not such a colossal price ($16). Powerful with rich tannins. Enjoy with a sausage cassoulet or game roasts. Drink: 2022-2024. 548867 14.20% D 750 mL $16.95 Score: 89/100. July 10, 2022
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full ReviewQuinta do Crasto 2018, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: A juicy 30% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional and 10% Tinta Barroca red wine blend aged in older French barrels for six months. Fresh with wild red berry, cherry and spicy flavours weighty the palate with ripe dark cherry and baking spice flavour. Tannins are ripe and easy. Ready for the BBQ now! Drink: 2020-2028. 81588 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 88/100. January 21, 2021
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full ReviewBicycle Thief Red Blend, Portugal, Portugal 18995 13% D 1500 mL $15.75. July 8, 2021
Full ReviewVicente Faria Lisbon by Night Red Blend 2018, Douro, Portugal Drink: 2020-2022. 18998 13% MD 750 mL $9.80. August 19, 2021
Full ReviewAveleda Vinho Verde 2019, Vinho Verde, Portugal: Ultra-crisp and refreshing Portuguese white wine made from the zingy, vibrant Vinho Verde grape. Green apple racy acidity for fresh seafood and shellfish. Light-bodied. Great value. Drink: 2021-2023. 5322 9.50% XD 750 mL $15.00 Score: 89/100. May 22, 2021
Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full ReviewArca Nova Vinho Verde 2019, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: Arca Nova 2019 is a great value, vegan-friendly Vinho Verde produced from Arinto de Bucelas, Loureiro and Trajadura white wine grapes indigenous to the wine region. Crisp and refreshing with crunchy green apple, white pepper and fine mineral flavours on the palate. Chill and enjoy on its own, but the wine also has wonderful food-friendly acidity and enough character to pair with periwinkles in black bean sauce. Drink: 2021-2023. 292029 10.50% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 87/100. May 22, 2021
Best Value White Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full ReviewMedeiros Rosé 2020, Alentejano, Portugal: Medeiros 2020 is an excellent value, bright, medium-bodied rosé made from Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Aragonez wine grapes. Floral on the nose with pink rose petals, bright and fresh on the palate with fresh red berry, cherry and soft orange citrus flavours. Chill and enjoy it with a grilled salmon steak. Drink: 2021-2022. 451385 12.50% D 750 mL $13.95 Score: 89/100. May 22, 2021
Best Value Rosé Wine. Splendid Salad Wine Full ReviewJosé Maria da Fonseca Domini 2018, Douro D.O.P., Portugal: From the Douro wine region, José Maria da Fonseca Domini 2018 is a rich and robust red wine blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa and excellent value at $17. Look for ripe dark cherry, earthy florals, fresh mushroom, fine herbs and toasty oak spice flavours generous and vibrant on the palate. Pour with roast duck. Drink: 2022-2026. 452730 13% XD 750 mL $17.95 Score: 89/100. February 19, 2022
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewQuinta do Crasto 2019, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: Crasto 2019 is always a crowd pleaser and great value at $20. Produced from equal amounts of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Franca, with 10% Tinta Barroca, aged in neutral oak barrels for six months. Concentrated and elegant with dark cherry, crushed red berries, baking spice, earthy and savoury herb flavours balanced and lingering on the palate. Tannins are velvety. Pour with meat and vegetable kebabs from the grill. Drink: 2022-2028. 81588 13.50% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. December 3, 2022
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full ReviewAveleda Alvarinho 2021, Vinho Regional Minho, Minho, Portugal: A lovely Alvarinho from Aveleda and great value at $16. Dry, light bodied, crisp with fresh apple, pear, herbs and briny mineral flavours creamy on the palate. This northern Portuguese white wine is a Colheita Selecionada, single vineyard special selection wine from the winery's estate vineyards from the Monção and Melgaço sub-region. Excellent now! Drink: 2022-2023. 610295 12% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 91/100. November 19, 2022
Best Value White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full ReviewPeriquita Reserva 2020, Setúbal, Portugal: From José Maria da Fonseca, Setúbal Periquita Reserva 2020 is produced from sustainably grown Castelão, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca grapes and is amazing value at $19. The wine is fresh and plushy with ripe black fruits, black currant, dark cherry, savoury herbs and smoky, spicy flavours generous on the palate. Tannins are structured. Drink or hold. Drink: 2023-2027. 48807 13.20% D 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. October 6, 2023
Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full ReviewJosé Maria da Fonseca Domini 2019, Douro D.O.P., Portugal Drink: 2022-2026. 452730 13% XD 750 mL $17.95. March 30, 2023
Best Value Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewAveleda Loureiro 2020, Vinho Verde D.O.C., Portugal: From the Vinho Verde wine region, Aveleda 2020 Loureiro is amazing value at $14. The wine is fragrant with grapefruit, lime zest, white florals, fine herb, white pepper and minerally flavours spritzy and citrus zesty on the palate. Chill and enjoy it with a fresh seafood paella, and an absolutely perfect pairing to this wine. Drink: 2023-2024. 646067 11.40% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 90/100. October 6, 2023
Best Value White Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full ReviewEvel Tinto 2021, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: From Portugal's Douro region, Evel 2021 is a remarkable value at $15, featuring a robust blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. Full-bodied and flavourful, it offers layers of ripe dark fruit, cherry compote, and subtle spice derived from eight months of maturation in French oak. Balanced by refreshing acidity, this wine is both rich and approachable. Pair it with Porchetta or braised short ribs. Drink: 2025-2027. 190694 13.50% XD 750 mL $14.95 Score: 88/100. March 4, 2025
Best Value Red Wine. Plush Pork Wine Full ReviewVicente Faria Lisbon by Night Red Blend 2022, Douro, Portugal: A smooth, seductive red that opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, and blueberry, layered with notes of cocoa, vanilla, and a hint of black pepper. It’s medium-bodied, dry, and velvety on the palate, with gentle tannins, bright acidity, and 13% alcohol creating a beautifully balanced, easy-drinking style. Serve it just below room temperature to let its dark fruit and spice unfold. Fascinating fact: Winemaker Vicente Faria, one of Portugal’s most celebrated enologists, crafts Lisbon by Night using native grapes like Tinta Roriz and Castelão, capturing the lively, coastal character of the region’s cool Atlantic breezes. This wine is best enjoyed young within 3–5 years to savour its vibrant fruit and silky texture.
This mysterious Portuguese blend captures the romance of Lisbon’s cobblestone streets with its complex mix of native grapes creating layers of dark fruit, smoke, and spice.
This is your liquid passport to Portugal, transporting you to a Lisbon wine bar with fadistas singing and the scent of grilled seafood in the air.
The wine revels in blackberry liqueur notes intertwined with tobacco and a hint of Mediterranean herbs, finishing with warming spices that linger like a perfect autumn evening.
Lisbon by Night is crafted by Vidigal Wines, a small but adventurous winery founded in a 19th-century monastery, where the vaulted stone cellars are still in use today.
Fun fact: Lisbon, the wine region around Portugal’s capital, has a maritime climate, and wines from coastal regions tend to have higher acidity and fresher flavours than wines from hot inland areas. That Atlantic Ocean breeze helps preserve acidity and brightness.
I’d pair this with grilled octopus with smoked paprika and roasted red pepper coulis where the char from the grill echoes the wine’s smoky notes and the sweet peppers complement its fruity richness transporting you to a Portuguese tavern on a crisp fall night.
Or try bacalhau à brás featuring salt cod shredded into golden matchstick potatoes bound with scrambled eggs creating comfort food that sings with the wine’s savory complexity.
Also partnering well is pork tenderloin with fig compote where the caramelized exterior gives way to juicy pink meat while sticky-sweet figs bridge the wine’s fruit and spice.
Or finally dark chocolate torte with sea salt where bitter cocoa and mineral salt draw out the wine’s depth creating an elegant finish to your evening. Drink: 2025-2028. 18998 13% MD 750 mL $10.95 Score: 89/100. October 25, 2025
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