South London’s Hit Portuguese Bar Launches a New Wine Series

Bar Douro, the Portuguese hideaway in Southwark’s Flat Iron Square loved by Marina O’Loughlin, is teaming up this spring with Portuguese “wine detective” Sarah Ahmed for a series of monthly dinners centred on an open discussion between Ahmed and a roster of special guests, intended to showcase the diversity and dynamism of Portugal’s food, and a vibrant wine culture they say is vastly underrepresented in the UK.

Bar Douro [official photo]

The series launches on Tuesday 27 March with “Passing the baton in the Douro” which will see Bar Douro owner Max Graham joined by father Johnny — founder of Churchill’s Port — and João Nicolau de Almeida of Douro winery Quinta do Monte Xisto, whose past work at Ramos Pinto (one of Portugal’s most iconic port houses) was considered pivotal in reshaping the region and bringing its native grape varieties to the fore.

The dinners themselves will be formed of a selection of plates from the Bar Douro menu, selected and served to pair with the specific wines being tasted and discussed on the evening. Snacks like croquetes de Alheira (a smoked Portuguese sausage), and salt cod fritters are expected to feature.

Future editions of the series will include “A Celebration of Baga,” “Pushing Boundaries and Natural Winemaking,” and “Crochet and Other Stories in Wine.” Tickets are available by contacting the restaurant directly. Prices for the evening have not yet been confirmed.