DISQUS

Quentin Sadler · 7 months ago

Hi Gabriella

I quite agree! Iberia is a place that happens to contain more than 1 country, so if you can have Iberian ham, surely you can have Iberian wine?
Great post, thanks, Quentin

Gabriella Opaz · 7 months ago

Hey Quentin! That was actually Ryan who wrote this piece, but I couldn't agree more. I think that if Spain and Portugal want to do something different, and rather innovative, why not market themselves as one! They are clearly in a unique geographical situation, with plenty of commonalities, that could absolutely aid them in their combined efforts. It's a worthwhile proposal.

Nick Oakley · 7 months ago

Great blog. When you mention Iberia to a Portuguese they are indignant. 'But we are Lusitania, you know?' is the standard response -which is fair enough
But there's a lot to be said about working together, and there are some projects now involving co-operations between winemakers of both countries. There is a wine DADOS (of 2) that is causing a stir in the Douro right now. It's a partnership between Javier Rodriguez (Spanish) and a Portuguese wine maker (forgive me for not knowing the name). Maybe worth a taste on the catavino site?

Andrea · 7 months ago

Ryan,
Awesome post, of course I couldn't agree more with your "mad" ideas. Both countries in this Iberian Peninsula are suffering major economic woes and instead of everyone working together to get out of the red, stubborn politicians continue to bicker and do what they want. I know I'm just a foreigner and expat as well but after living here over a year, I too am tired like many of the natives I know, of the ongoing ridiculous bureaucracy of things when there are so many opportunities for marketing and promoting the wonderful natural resources of the land, wine especially!

Adding to Quentin, I just read an article in a Portuguese wine magazine praising Iberian ham so hopefully others will follow suit in the near future! Meanwhile I'll continue to do what I can and will be waiting to see those (flu free) pigs fly one day! ;)

Tom Perry · 7 months ago

Hi Ryan,

Interesting post! To support your idea, there were several wine tastings several years ago highlighting the wines from the Duero/Douro but sadly, I haven't heard anything about this recently. I know from having attended Essencia do Vinho that there's a lot of interest in Spanish wines in northern Portugal, but haven't detected the same interest in Portuguese wines on our side of the border. Sad! I think a lot more people should be reading Catavino!

Ben · 7 months ago

There's a lot to like about this idea. But I fear that it might exacerbate the current perception among geographically-impaired consumers that Portugal is somehow part of Spain (Even wine shops often group Portuguese wines under “Spain”)

This is no small matter, since being different might be the most valuable asset the Portuguese brand has. Portugal has many unique grape varieties, which sets it apart in today’s market. As you say, the similarities are there, but the differences are not trivial ones from a consumer’s perspective. Even when tempranillo (by another name) is used in Portugal, it’s usually in a very different style and blended with grapes that are not found in Spain. My favorite Portuguese grape, Touriga Nacional, is not used in Spain at all.

I’m just a wine consumer, but it seems to me that good marketing might argue for the current Portugal/Spain distinction.

Ryan Opaz · 7 months ago

Your right there are good arguments for separation too, though a highbred of the two might be best in the end. Working together does not mean that you have to lose your unique identities, or at least I would argue that it shouldn't.

Also there is Touriga in Spain, lot's of people playing with it, here's one example: http://prgrisley.com/tag/touriga-nacional/