The Wine Lover's Case for Portugal featuring Nicole Muscari

Portugal has been on the docket for a while, and it finally gets the right guest: Nicole Muscari, the wine educator and content creator behind Grape Chic, who has made the trip 22 times since 2019 and now owns a place in Porto. We're digging into the friendly Porto-vs-Lisbon rivalry — Porto's grit and cobblestones read like New York, Lisbon's sprawl and beaches read more L.A. — then heads into the Douro Valley to make the case for its dry reds and mineral whites, not just port. There's also a detour to Colares, a DOC so small its vines still grow ungrafted in sand. Pastel de nata debates, football pride, and a real argument for booking that direct flight all make an appearance. This Week's Wine: 2022 Altitude by Duorum Douro Mentions and Links Wines & Producers Altitude by Duorum — the episode's featured Douro red, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Cão. Alvarinho (Vinho Verde) — worth seeking out in its age-worthy, lees- or barrel-aged styles, not just the light spritzy version. Arinto — coastal, salty white from the Lisbon region, sometimes given Chardonnay-style oak and lees aging. Colares DOC (Malvasia whites, Ramisco reds) — a roughly 22-hectare appellation near Cascais growing pre-phylloxera vines in sand. Restaurants & Bars — Porto de Lima's Wine Bar — opened by Rafael de Lima in the historic center. Blind Pony — speakeasy right next door. Fauno — small tasting-menu spot with wine pairings. Cozinha das Flores — strong wine list with rare back-vintage Portuguese bottles. Prova — wine bar with deep, well-curated allocations. Casa Guedes — go-to for the roast pork and Serra da Estrela cheese sandwich. Arco das Verdades — cliffside wine bar with natural/biodynamic small-producer bottles and river views. Pedro Lemos — Michelin-starred restaurant with a standout cellar. Taylor's — Port house recommended for its educational tour. Casa de Chá da Boa Nova — two-Michelin-star restaurant on the water. Fábrica da Nata — favorite pastel de nata. Taberninha do Manel (sister restaurant Adega do Manel) — riverside Gaia spot for amêijoas à Bulhão Pato and francesinha. Gazela — the cachorrinhos (Porto-style hot dogs) spot Anthony Bourdain once featured. Bomfim 1896 — Michelin-recommended. Libatio — Nicole's pick for the city's best wine bar. Douro Valley The Vintage House — hotel in Pinhão, a good base for exploring the valley. Vinho Verde Town of Amarante — medieval town with an old bridge, worth the detour. Monverde Wine Resort — modern wine hotel with floor-to-ceiling views over the vines. Lisbon Black Sheep — favorite wine bar Pastéis de Belém — the original pastel de nata bakery. Bar Alimentar Imprensa Cocktail Bar Prado Wine Bar Bifanas do Afonso — for the classic Lisbon bifana sandwich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices