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.