On our way up to the big wine gig, we decided to spend the night in Setúbal - a place I've wanted to visit for a while.Of course, after a fair but uninspiring dinner (Reserva do Comendador 2011 - served too warm but improved after some time in an ice bucket) we had to visit CorkTale - a place I'd heard of, but never visited. To be honest, we weren't that impressed - yes, an excellent wine list, but the ambiance of the place we found somewhat sterile.
We did, however, have a chance to try a glass of Trilogia - not exactly a "bucket list" item, but pretty close.
Moscatel is, I think, one of the undiscovered wonders of Portugal - and I thank Sarah at the "Green Doors" bar in Lisbon for introducing it to me when I asked for a glass of Sherry. Almost every bar or café anywhere in Portugal will have it - often Favaios from an "individual dose" bottle - but it must be cold - adding a block of ice is simply not the same. My wife and I almost always have a glass as an aperitif before dinner. Reasonable bottles can be had in most supermarkets for under 4€, but if you pay more, you get more - 10€ will get you something quite amazing. Look out for Roxo - Portuguese for "purple" - made from a very special grape and a cut above the rest. I've tried decanting, but no longer recommend it - open the bottle and let it "slow-ox" in the fridge - it will keep for at least a week.
But I digress.
Trilogia is a limited edition celebration blend - only 13,926 bottles made - composed of the 1900, 1934, and 1965 vintages. A 500ml bottle will set you back 150€ or more. But in CorkTale you can try a single glass for "only" 17€.
This is a hugely classy drink - dark amber in colour - big in the nose and big in the mouth - peel, oranges - massive finish. I personally thought it was a little light on acid to balance with the sweet, but no regrets
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