It’s no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Portuguese wines. The quality is excellent and so are the price points. It’s a win-win every single time. As holiday entertaining ramps up, I’m sharing some recent faves.

Contacto Alvarinho & Loureiro

These two white wines are from the Symington family’s project in Portugal’s Vinho Verde DOC. The Symingtons are perhaps best known for their Port wine brands. They have been branching out, turning out gorgeous wines from several Portuguese regions.

The Contacto Loureiro (that’s a grape, Loureiro) is all salted honey and shy white flowers on the nose. On the palate, you’ll get bright lime zest and citrus fruit. It’s really fun to drink, especially if you like Sauv Blanc or Pinot Grigio. The Contacto line is line-priced at $22, falling smack in the “affordalicious” window. Contacto Wines

The Contacto Alvarinho (yep, that’s another grape name) bursts with all the limes, lemons and apples in Portugal! Oh, and some melons, too. It’s basically a farmer’s market in a glass and I loved it. Zesty acidity wakes up your palate. It’s fresh and again, if you like Sauv B or PG, try this one.

Monte Velho 2022 Riserva Red from Esporão

Esporão is one of Portugal’s most prolific wineries. They produce gorgeous wines in their “home turf” of Alentejo, and also in the Douro and Vinho Verde regions. The Monte Velho line was created as an affordalicious way to experience their wines. This new Riserva Red hails from Alentejo. It is super perfume-y with black cherry, dried violets, graphite and black tea. These are aromatics that you normally find in “pricey meatball” wines like Bordeaux reds, but no! This clocks in at about $18. The wine is bright and juicy, with cranberries, cherries and fine tannins. It’s a food wine for sure, so find some cured meat and bold cheese and go crazy. Esporão

Quinta do Bomfim White & Red, by Symington

This is another super affordable line of wines made in the Douro region, by the Symington family. (The Douro is increasingly turning out beautiful, unfortified wines like this one). And you guys – these are about $15 a pop! The White is like unoaked Chard had a baby with Chenin Blanc. It’s medium-bodied with decadent apple and pear and tropical fruits with a spine of crisp acidity and minerality. I loved it.

The Red has all the ripe black and dark red fruits with a layer of graphite and a sexy whiff of campfire. It’s a cozy red wine! On the palate, you’ll get black cherry-cranberry compote with some baking spice, and fine tannins. It’s a great food wine – think pizza, burgers, roast chicken. Very versatile and very delicious!

Prats & Symington Wines

The Symington family steps it up again, showcasing the fruit of the beautiful Douro Valley. I tried the Prazo de Roriz red, with pickled plums and blueberries, layered with dried violets, black olives and dried herbs. It’s a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo) plus a few other varieties. This wine has a lot going on for $18!. Would be great with grilled lamb chops, Iberico ham, or Manchego cheese while tasting!

The Post Scriptum red features fruit from the same two vineyards as the celebrated Chryseia, Prats & Symington’s first wine. It fetches about $89 a bottle. The top lots of Touriga Nacional, Touring Franca and Tinta Roriz go into the Chryseia. The remaining lots go into the Post Scriptum! So for about $30, you can savor a similar wine to Chryseia without breaking the bank! It’s bold, balanced and beautiful. Prats & Symington

Quinta da Fonte Souto Florão Wines

This is the Symington family’s first winery outside of the Douro Valley. It’s located in the Portalegre sub-region of Alentejo, at a nice elevation of 1,600 feet. Both the Florão white and red are delightful, easy-drinking wines, priced at about $23 each.

The Florão Branca (white) smells like creamy sunshine. I got orange blossom, honeysuckle and lime zest (no oak). If you like white wine, I dare you not to like this wine. It’s got some weight, yet it’s crisp and refreshing. Arinto an dVerdelho are two of my fave white grapes in Alentejo.

The Florão Tinta (red) is a beautiful blend of Alfrocheiro, Aragon (aka Tempranillo), Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional and a few others. It”s elegant, bursting with dark black fruit, black olives, some graphite. Perfect with savory foods, like my beloved jamon Iberico – or Thanksgiving stuffing! Quinta Fonte Souto

Graham’s 20-Year Tawny Port

I was super-excited about this sample because I was recently inducted into the Confraria do Vinho do Porto. That is the official “fraternity” of Port wine, and its members include producers and importers, sommeliers, journalists and influencers. All members – including me! – serve as ambassadors for Port Wine.

Tawny Port is my favorite and the older, the better if you ask me. This beauty offers a rush of dried orchard fruits (cherries, apricots), orange zest, baking spices and it’s all wrapped in a subtle layer of toasted almonds. It’s beautiful with strong cheeses (aged English cheddar, please!) and also with chocolate, caramel and even peanut-butter-y type sweets. It’s a treat at about $80 – and completely worth it. Graham’s Port

Here’s to Portugal and its wonderful wines this season!