I discovered a new and fantastic grape in Portugal on a recent trip. It’s a white grape called Síria and is also used in blends. It is found frequently in the Estrela region, which is famous for its delicious and stinky cheese—Serra da Estrela—and sometimes in the Douro region.

It has often taken a back seat to better-known Portuguese white grape varietals such as Verdelho and Arinto. Generally the country is also better known for its reds than its whites, thanks to the Port trade.

Siria’s subtle flavors of stone fruits, balanced with great acidity, make it an ideal food wine. It pairs sublimely with octopus salads, lighter cod dishes—so beloved by the Portuguese—and other seafood-based dishes. One of my favorites was the Quinta do Cardo.

A few great places to find Portuguese wines in San Francisco include Gitane, a pan-Mediterranean restaurant on Claude Lane and fantastic retailers like K&L.

Cin Cin,

Liza the Wine Chick