Top 10 wine spots, none in U.S.

I realize that, on the world stage, our homeland isn’t exactly the most popular place right now. Part of it stems from eight years of political buffoonery, and a healthy dose comes from traditional “old world” bias against the United States. Like most of us, I’ve learned to adjust for a touch of this when I read international news coverage. To a certain extent, I understand it … we’re more like France than we realize. But, it’s tough when our country doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

This is especially the case for wine.

In an article detailing the top 10 wine spots in the world, Forbes deemed none in the United States worthy of the list.

1. Castello Banfi, Tuscany, Italy: not an adventurous pick for the top spot
2. Montes, Colchagua Valley, Chile: trying to seem enlightened, succeeds
3. Ken Forrester, Stellenbosch, South Africa: see #2, with the same results
4. Fournier, Mendoza, Argentina: doubling up on South America in the top five? Trying too hard …
5. Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, Australia: could call for the middle of the pack
6. Felton Road, Central Otago, New Zealand: again with the doubling up …
7. Bodegas Ysios, Rioja, Spain: classic location, should probably be higher
8. Quinta do Portal, Douro Valley, Portugal: this would have been more exciting at #3 or #4
9. Chateau Lynch-Bages, Bordeaux, France: obligatory, but at #9?
10. Peter Jakob Kuhn Oestrich, Rhein/Mosel, Germany: obviously added to the list out of a sense of obligation

And, where are we? No Sonoma? No Napa? Or, a break from the norm with Oregon?

The collection of wine destinations seems to a certain extent like a Little League awards banquet. No country is on the list twice, giving the impression that the reporter sought to dish out as many trophies as possible. The wide reach, of course, makes those absent even more evident.

As you can see, the list is more likely the result of a careful analysis of balancing out different regions and meeting reader expectations than it is a genuine reflection on the most interesting wine destinations in the world.

This is why I hate “listicles”: they have less to do with the content than they do with managing perception. Blech.

Drink port at the source

Nothing punctuates an amazing meal quite like an ancient port. For most restaurants in the United States, though, port seems like something of an afterthought. Few are offered, and they tend to be pedestrian at best. So, if you’re looking for that perfect tawny, get in a plane, and head for Portugal. In Porto, the country’s second largest city, you will have access to a variety and depth of port impossible to find on our side of the Atlantic.

Port offers plenty of distractions, but the port houses tend to be at the top of everyone’s list. Once the jet lag has worn off, head out for the Quinta da Pacheca to experience port production in a more intimate setting. Next door are vineyards owned by Sandeman, where you can get a feel for how the larger operations are run. Since the Solar de Vinho de Porto keeps a tight leash on how many bottles of port are produced, the excess grapes are used in table wine, which Lauren Adler, a recent traveler to Porto, suggests you try.

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Adler also recommends that you not miss the opportunity to tread grapes at one of the vineyards. “Grape-treading was a fantastic experience,” she says, remembering that there was a man with a pole chanting in Portuguese during the crush-something that she assumed to mean “left, right …” From her experience, she recalls, “You stand in a line with arms linked and move your feet in a circular motion to crush the grapes. You move all together in a line to the other side of the vat. Then, you return.” The process is repeated until the grapes are sufficiently stamped.

After having sampled the local fare, check out the Casa da Musica (House of Music), designed by Dutch architect Rom Koolhaas, or the national Contemporary Art Museum. Even strolling the streets with no other objective is worth an afternoon of your time. Dine on some tripe or pig’s blood broth, and relax with a view of the Douro River. Then, go back for another glass of port!

Portugal is often lost in Europe, as France, Spain and Italy tend to draw the largest crowds. Within Portugal, Lisbon usually grabs the top spot for travelers. So, if you want to try something different-while finally sipping the port you’ve never been able to find-try Porto. And, bring a bottle back for me.