NEON CACTUS WINES

This wine honours Manuel do Talho, a fantastic storyteller, who became known for his capacity to accurately identify, by blind test, any wine from the Douro  region. The Quinta do Judeu winery, owned by the Carvalho family since 1932, is named for an ancient Roman statue located on the estate. The winery was born out of a passion to produce Douro wine of an expressive, emerging style.
This is a red blend of four Portuguese grape varietals. Bright berry fruit nose with a fresh, spicy character. The palate shows bright fruit bolstered by subtly medicinal spiciness and good acidity. It’s fresh and a tiny bit rustic. $26.95*

Friday afternoon, August 20
we offered a selection of red and white
wines from Portugal
for tasting, accompanied by tasty snacks!

Made from Dão red grape varieties such as Jaen, Alfrocheiro,Tinta Pinheira, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, grown by local winegrowers in partnership with Sogrape Vinhos.
Grão Vasco Dão Red 2007 has a ruby-red hue and primary aromas of plum and black cherry, with some balmy notes. In the mouth, it has great elegance and softness, with fine and fresh acidity, soft and round tannins, and a mouthfeel of medium intensity with a prevalence of fruit. A remarkably balanced red with a clean and mildly lingering finish.
A light and elegant wine that combines the profile and classical flavour of Portuguese Dão reds with the great versatility of an everyday wine. Ideal with light meals, such as cold meat, cheese and some fish dishes. $11.95*

A slightly fizzy rosé with aromas of marshmallow, wildflowers and strawberries with hints of spice. Enjoy the strawberry, candied citrus peel and tangerine flavours. Refreshing and off-dry but crisp. Beautiful rose colour. Pair it with salads, fish or spicy pork spring rolls. Lower alcohol content as in the all-time favourite, Gazela Vinho Verde! $11.95*

Gazela is a soft, light and refreshing Vinho Verde, ideal for everyday drinking. Pale yellow citrine colour with a slight fizz that enhances its bouquet, flavours and freshness. Aromatic and engaging, with a lively and stimulating acidity added to its citrine and tropical fruit notes, very well balanced by a slight touch of sugar. Excellent with salads, light fish or seafood dishes, or just as an aperitif. Serve well chilled. $11.95*

Reserva dos Amigos, Syrah 2004
The name of this exquisite Portuguese wine means the Reserve Wine of Friends ~ it helps to bring friends and family together. A remarkable wine with a satisfying taste, it has strong tannins and complex combinations of flavours including berry, plum and smoke. $18.95*

Vidigal Reserva Vinho Tinto
Regional Estremadura
Youthful aromas of black fruits (cassis, blackberry, plum) ooze from the glass and fill your mouth. Spicy notes accent the juicy fruit on the palate while firm tannins form a solid core leading into a smoky smooth finish. $16.95*

Neon Cactus Wines also carries Brutalis by Vidigal.

BRUTALIS IS BACK AGAIN AFTER A LONG ABSENCE!

Grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon
This 750 ml wine comes in a husky bottle with a bulbous seal. If you buy four bottles, they come in a wooden crate. A well-balanced, gruff, dry red with strong character. Aromas of muesli, spice and vanilla. Goes best with steaks, prosciutto and snacks made from fish. $44.95*

 [ Caves Vidigal Portuguese ]

Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Reserva 2007
Grapes from 70-year-old, low-yielding vines of up to 30 different grape varieties are kept back for ageing in French and American oak barrels. A high proportion of the grapes used in the blend are foot trodden.

Brick red colour. Intense and lifted complex aromas of spices, cedar and vanilla combine with fresh dark wild berries and ripe blood plums. Elegant start, developing to a rich full and round palate of great balance. Displaying rich Douro berry fruit characters with integrated oak tannins and a very long finish. The wine may be consumed soon after its release but has the depth and concentration to cellar over the long term. This is a complex, powerful wine with great intensity and a richly textured palate. Bottled without any fining or filtration. $42.95*

Bright plum-red colour. Lifted aromas of very fresh wild berries, complemented by slight spice characters. A fresh and elegant taste, very well balanced with medium-bodied palate displaying berry fruit, savory flavours and soft tannins. An excellent value. $14.95*

[ Douro ]

Azul Portugal Bairrada
Grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Aragonez), Baga
Deep ruby red colour. Pronounced and complex dark berry fruit aromas. A very full-bodied and well-structured wine with flavours of dark berry fruit and chocolate with firm tannins and balanced acidity. A wine of elegance and power. Long and pleasant finish. A perfect match with pork dishes, meat stews, game and bean dishes. $18.95*
Azul Portugal Vinho Verde
Grape varieties: Trajadura & Arinto
Refreshing and vibrant aromas. An explosion of fresh fruit taste and vibrant acidity with notes of green apple, fresh pineapple, mineral and bay leaf. Delicious with grilled fish, oysters, lobster and crab. $16.95*

Three wonderful wines, Quinta de Pancas, Quinta do Cardo and Farizoa from Companhia das Quintas:

Quinta de Pancas
Touriga Nacional grapes
Rigorous grape selection, careful winemaking, and 18 months maturation in French oak produce a deep and complex nose featuring notes of plum, fig and spices. The mouth reveals great body, balance

100% Arinto grapes
This white wine from the Bucelas Region is a yellow colour with golden hints. The exuberant nose displays aromas of tropical fruit (passionfruit and pineapple) complemented by refreshing citric notes. The wonderful acidity gives the wine a vibrant freshness on the palate, along with intense and persistent tropical flavours. You’ll love this wine with fish, seafood, salads and cold soups. $16.95*

[Prova Regia]

Come to Neon Cactus Wines for a bottle of
Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde from Portugal. 
Laurie McKay tasted and talked about this wine on House Wine on CBC radio’s Homestretch on Friday, May 22, 2009

Vinho Verde means “Green Wine” in reference to its youthful freshness, not its colour. A vinho verde usually has lower alcohol content and is meant for immediate consumption.
Produced in the Refóios region, where the Loureiro grape variety is at its most aromatic and tasty, the Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde is delicate, fresh, clear, light-coloured white wine. It possesses a good combination of floral and fruity aromas, typical of well-ripened grapes. Excellent body and acidity balance, a smooth yet slightly crisp taste, a fruity palate  and persistent length. Superb as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to meals. This wine is perfect with oriental cuisine. $19.95*

Deep ruby/garnet-coloured wine with complex aromas of sweet spice, figs and bramble fruits. Excellent structure and lovely weight of mature autumn berries with cigar box and vanilla tones on the palate. Mineral and earthy tones combine with the sweet spicy fruits to produce a dry full-bodied, rich, red with soft mellow tannins. Long lingering finish with excellent balance. An elegant wine. $19.95*

Lifted, scented red berry fruit aromatics, cherry, strawberry and vanilla notes. Sweet, spicy oak and silky fruit dominate a succulent palate, which has good balance and great mouthfeel. $33.95*