Drink

Few grapes suffer like the grapes in Douro, the rocky Portuguese valley where parchingly hot summers and rainy, cold winters are ideal for producing fruit with the intensity needed for sweet port.

The region has been earning a growing reputation of late for its still red wines, too, thanks to new technology and renewed interest from talented winemakers. The finest of its new-wave reds, such as Chryseia, have rightly earned raves for their combination of ripe fruit and earthy zing - though at a hefty price ($66.99 for the '03 in Pa.). The Douro, though, is also full of great values, such as this Quinta do Vallado 2007 on Chairman Selection special. Made from both old and young vines of typical port grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and others - this wine delivers a balance of ripe plums and herby spice that's a perfect match for light meat dishes such as rabbit, pork, and duck.

- Craig LaBan
Quinta do Vallado 2007 (code: 24972) is available in select Premium Selection stores in Pennsylvania for $14.99.