There are few better ways to spend an evening than discovering somewhere new through its food and drink, particularly when the experience comes with a little storytelling, a welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to share it with like-minded people.
That was very much the order of the evening at Café Grande in Edinburgh, where a fully booked wine dinner brought a taste of Portugal to the Scottish capital, with five carefully considered food and wine pairings celebrating some of the country’s distinctive wine-producing regions and culinary traditions.
The inspiration behind the evening came from Café Grande owner Robbie, who, following a recent holiday in Portugal, returned home with more than just happy memories. Having enjoyed the country’s food, wines and approach to dining so much, he was keen to recreate some of that experience back in Edinburgh. The result was a themed evening that brought together Portuguese flavours, regional wines and a convivial gathering of guests.
And judging by the full house, it was an idea that struck a chord.
A little Portuguese hospitality in the heart of Edinburgh
Café Grande provided a fitting setting for the occasion. There is something particularly enjoyable about an evening built around a shared table and a common interest, and with guests gathered to explore the wines and dishes being introduced throughout the night, there was a lovely sense of occasion.
These monthly meet-ups offer something beyond a conventional dinner out. They provide an opportunity to try something different, learn a little along the way and enjoy the company of others, without the formality that can sometimes accompany wine events.
The format also gives the kitchen the freedom to explore a theme, with each course designed around a particular wine or region. Rather than simply selecting a bottle from the wine list to accompany dinner, the food and drink become part of one joined-up experience.
For this particular evening, Portugal was very much in the spotlight.
Five courses, five Portuguese wine pairings
The menu took us on a journey through several of Portugal’s wine regions, beginning in Vinho Verde before moving through Bairrada and Lisboa, and finishing in the celebrated Douro.
Each course offered a different combination of ingredients, wine styles and regional character.
Loureiro from Vinho Verde – Green Soup
The evening began with a Portuguese-inspired green soup, accompanied by Loureiro from Vinho Verde.
Loureiro is an aromatic white grape variety, particularly associated with the Vinho Verde region in northern Portugal. Its fragrant character and fresh style made it a fitting choice to open proceedings, offering a lighter introduction to the wines and setting the scene for the courses to follow.
It was an interesting way to begin, introducing guests to a grape variety that may be less familiar than some of Portugal’s better-known wine names.
Alvarinho from Vinho Verde – Bacalhau Fritter, Cucumber Aioli
Next came a Bacalhau fritter with cucumber aioli, paired with Alvarinho, another of Vinho Verde’s celebrated white grape varieties.
Salt cod, or bacalhau, has a long-standing place in Portuguese food culture, and its appearance on the menu was a particularly fitting nod to the country’s culinary heritage.
The Alvarinho pairing brought a different dimension to the white wines of the evening. Typically fresh, vibrant and expressive, this variety is well suited to seafood and fish dishes, making it a natural partner for the bacalhau fritter. The cucumber aioli provided a further element to the combination.
Baga Rosé from Bairrada – Gizzard & Chorizo Stew
The third course took a more robust turn, with gizzard and chorizo stew accompanied by Baga Rosé from Bairrada.
This was a particularly interesting change of direction, moving away from the lighter white wines and introducing a dish with deeper, more savoury character.
Baga is one of Portugal’s distinctive red grape varieties, particularly associated with Bairrada. In rosé form, it offers an alternative to the more familiar pale summer styles, with the grape’s natural freshness and character making for an interesting match with the richness and spice of chorizo.
A pairing that certainly demonstrated the variety of Portuguese wines and how they can work alongside dishes beyond the more obvious choices.
Touriga Nacional & Castelão from Lisboa – Smoked Chicken & Chorizo Croquette, Smoked Garlic Aioli
The fourth course, and my personal favourite, brought together smoked chicken and chorizo in a croquette, served with smoked garlic aioli and paired with a red blend of Touriga Nacional and Castelão from Lisboa.
There was a lovely continuation of the Portuguese theme here, with chorizo appearing once again, this time in a different form and alongside the smoky notes of the chicken and garlic.
Touriga Nacional is perhaps one of Portugal’s most recognised red grape varieties, known for its depth and structure, while Castelão brings its own distinctive character to the blend. Together, they offered a more substantial red wine pairing for a dish with plenty of savoury personality.
Touriga Franca & Tinta Roriz from Douro – Slow Cooked Pork Leg, Carrot, Green Pepper & Potato
The final savoury course brought the evening to a fitting close, with slow-cooked pork leg accompanied by carrot, green pepper and potato, paired with Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz from the Douro.
The Douro is one of Portugal’s most celebrated wine regions, with a landscape and wine heritage that have become synonymous with the country. Its reds are particularly well regarded, and the combination of Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz offered an appropriate finale to the progression of wines.
The slow-cooked pork provided a hearty, traditional-feeling finish to the menu, with the accompanying vegetables completing a dish that felt well suited to the character of the region.
A journey through Portugal, without leaving Edinburgh
One of the pleasures of an evening such as this is the opportunity to discover just how much diversity exists within a country’s food and wine culture.
Portugal is often associated with familiar favourites, but there is considerably more to explore beyond the bottles and varieties most commonly found on restaurant wine lists. From the fresh whites of Vinho Verde to the distinctive reds of Bairrada, Lisboa and the Douro, the evening offered a welcome introduction to different regions and grape varieties.
It also demonstrated the value of matching food and wine with a little thought. Each pairing gave the next course its own identity, while maintaining a connection to the overall Portuguese theme.
And, importantly, the experience was not about being a wine expert. It was about curiosity, enjoyment and having the opportunity to try something that perhaps wouldn’t ordinarily feature in an everyday dinner out.
And here are the wines…
For anyone wishing to explore the wines further, the evening featured a selection spanning five Portuguese wine pairings, from Loureiro and Alvarinho in Vinho Verde to Baga Rosé from Bairrada, a Touriga Nacional and Castelão blend from Lisboa, and a Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz blend from the Douro.
Each brought something different to the table, and together they provided a fascinating snapshot of Portugal’s regional wine character. I’ve included photographs of the individual wines below for anyone keen to discover more.
Monthly meet-ups worth putting in the diary
What makes these evenings particularly appealing is that they are not intended to be a one-off experience. Café Grande’s monthly wine meet-ups provide an opportunity to explore different countries, regions, grape varieties and food pairings throughout the year.
For those who enjoy discovering new wines, trying different dishes or simply having a good evening in interesting company, they are well worth keeping an eye on.
This Portuguese evening was fully booked, which says plenty about the appeal of the format. If you fancy joining one of the forthcoming tastings, my advice would be to keep an eye on Café Grande’s announcements and secure your place early. These are clearly popular evenings, and waiting until the last minute may mean missing out.
A little inspiration from a holiday in Portugal has resulted in a rather lovely Edinburgh experience. And that’s something worth raising a glass to.
Must Visit verdict: A welcoming, sociable evening that brings together the pleasure of good food, the discovery of Portuguese wines and the opportunity to experience something a little different in the heart of Edinburgh. A great concept for regular meet-ups, and one to watch for anyone with an interest in food, wine and discovering new experiences.
Find Café Grande here: https://www.cafegrande.cafe/