Douro and Dão to toast on Father’s Day
18/03/2024Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in Douro, and Quinta da Taboadella, in Dão, suggest wines for fathers with different personalities, whether they are more minimalist, devoted to tradition, or ahead of their time. The suggestions from the two wineries belonging to the Amorim group include wine references of different styles and origins. They are:
For minimalist fathers – The grape is symbolically represented on the labels of the Grainha wines, which received a new look in 2022, a work with the signature of Eduardo Aires, from Studio Eduardo Aires – the visual symbol in the center of the label is, at the same time, a representation of the grape seed and a dot of the letter “i”. With a refined, elegant, and simple image, the Grainha White Reserva 2022 and Grainha Red Reserva 2021 are suggestions from Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo for minimalist fathers, who appreciate pure design mixed with wine references that convey the unique character of the Douro. If the white wine comes from grapes cultivated at high altitude, being an ode to the highlands of the region, the red wine is a faithful portrait of the classic from Douro, with a silky texture, fine tannins, and a firm structure, with an enveloping blend of fruity, dense, and spicy aromas.
For avant-garde fathers – The year 2021 marks the first harvest of Quinta Nova Blanc de Noir Reserva, whose most recent edition dates back to 2022. This unique and avant-garde white reserve in the Douro comes from a red grape: one must climb the slopes of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo to find a Tinta Roriz grape that, due to its altitude, benefits from greater freshness and linearity. The end result is a powerful wine on the palate and, at the same time, delicate on the nose, where citrus notes go hand in hand with white stone fruit.
For irreverent fathers – It’s not just because of the unusual label, which represents the sketch of the Taboadella cellar design drawn with Chinese ink, but also because of its irreverent profile. The 2021 harvest of Grande Villae White from Taboadella recently hit the market with a bolder blend: 100% Encruzado from distinct plots, with average altitudes of 500 meters and exposures to the west and south. The sandy silty granite soil gave rise to a wine distinguished by its granitic minerality. A complex and very elegant white wine, which fermented and aged 20% in cement tanks, and the rest in 500-liter French oak barrels. A pioneering wine that is setting new trends in the Dão region.
For tradition-loving fathers – The single-varietal Taboadella Reserva Touriga Nacional 2020, an autochthonous grape of Dão, reflects the personality of the region through notes of violets that mark the nose, but also black spice, aromas that join surprising complexity. A suggestion from Taboadella for those who are fans of honoring the traditions of wine-producing regions.
For wonderful fathers – Because all fathers are wonderful, the suggestions could not be complete without the flagship of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo: the Mirabilis Red 2021, which has small clusters and singular berries from old and centennial vines as raw material. Texture and density are part of the DNA of this reference. Inspired by the great wines of the world, it results from a careful selection of the best plots and a manicured harvest. It is an unrepeatable wine that only mirrors viticultural years of extreme quality. Intense in aromas, three-dimensional, and with enormous physical persistence, the Mirabilis red is synonymous with celebrating tradition and its reinvention, the hands that shape it, and the desire to go further in search of ‘something wonderful’.
Father’s Day and Easter Celebrated with Special Offers at Vila Galé Hotels
14/03/2024The prestigious hotel group Vila Galé invites you to celebrate Father’s Day and Easter with unique experiences at some of its hotels in Portugal.
For Father’s Day, between March 16th and 24th, Vila Galé offers a special opportunity to enjoy a family lunch or dinner, where wine is on the house! This exclusive offer also includes a €20 voucher to be redeemed on a future stay. Valid for lunch or dinner reservations for at least 2 people accompanied by at least one child, during the specified period. Each adult is entitled to a glass of wine selected by Vila Galé. Offer not combinable with other promotions.
But the surprises don’t stop there. During Easter time, visitors have even more reasons to venture on a getaway, whether in the city, countryside, beach, or mountains. Vila Galé has prepared a series of special activities for the whole family, including a fun Easter egg hunt for the little ones and a special menu for these festive days.
For more information and reservations, please contact us at 212 460 650 or via email at vilagale@info.vilagale.com.
José de Sousa Winery and José Maria da Fonseca Museum House with activities for Father’s Day
14/03/2024Father’s Day is coming and José Maria da Fonseca’s wine tourism units – Adega José de Sousa and Casa Museu José Maria da Fonseca – are prepared to offer a unique experience to families. On the weekends of March 16th and 17th and 23rd and 24th, children will have the opportunity to create a personalized label for a bottle of wine, which they can then give to their parents.
Located in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Adega José de Sousa offers guided tours, allowing the discovery of two wineries that combine tradition with innovation. In the historic Adega dos Potes, with its 114 clay amphorae and two presses for crushing the grapes, visitors can check out the ancient methods of wine fermentation, while in the modern Adega, with its 44 stainless steel tanks, the technology is fundamental to achieving excellence. Keeping alive a tradition started by the Romans more than two thousand years ago, Adega José de Sousa is truly unique in the world.
On the other hand, at Casa Museu José Maria da Fonseca, a 19th century building located in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão and restored in 1923 by Swiss architect Ernesto Korrodi, the highlights of the guided tour vary according to visitors’ preferences. Some are enchanted by the majestic garden, while others prefer to explore the Adegas da Mata, Teares Novos and Teares Velhos. The latter includes the much-desired “Frasqueira”, where José Maria da Fonseca keeps its oldest Moscatéis de Setúbal, some over 100 years old.
After visiting the wineries, children will have the opportunity to unleash their creativity by designing a personalized label, which will then be applied to a bottle of wine to give to their parents. Additionally, adults can enjoy a tasting of two wines, while children will have the opportunity to try two fruit juices. Both tastings will be accompanied by regional products, such as sausages, cheese, olive oil and Alentejo bread.
Father’s Day Program
José de Sousa Winery, Reguengos de Monsaraz
José Maria da Fonseca Museum House, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão
On the weekends of March 16th and 17th and 23rd and 24th, at 11am and 3pm
Price per adult: 15 euros
Price per child (3 to 17 years old): 10 euros
Family price (2 adults + 2 children): 45 euros
VAT included
The entry price includes a visit to the winery, wine tasting for adults, two juices for children and regional products and the offer of a bottle of wine per registered child, with a personalized label designed by the child. Includes colored pencils and drawings for children.
Subject to availability and advance booking.
Reservations: Casa Museu José Maria da Fonseca, enoturismo@jmfonseca.pt | +351 212 198 940. Visiting times: Every day – 11am and 3pm
Adega José de Sousa, josedesousa@jmfonseca.pt | | +351 918 269 569, Visiting times: Every day – 11am and 3pm
Sogevinus’ suggestions for Valentine’s Day include a special Rosé, gift packs and personalized bottles
13/03/2024For the Valentine’s Day dinner, the Sogevinus group suggests one of its most romantic, seductive and elegant wines, São Luiz Winemaker’s Collection Rosé, which promises to highlight the flavors of the romantic meal, as well as the atmosphere of passion. Breadth and complexity are adjectives that go well with this decidedly gastronomic wine, which goes well with sea dishes, such as seafood or fish, but also with white meats and medium-intensity cheeses. This rosé is available in specialized wine stores and at Uva WineShop (https://pt.uvawineshop.com/), where it will have a special 20% discount until February 14th. Still during this period, in this store, but with a 15% discount, you can also find special gift packs from the Sogevinus group, ideal to offer as a gift to your better half or to toast as a couple on Valentine’s Day.
Two proposals in particular stand out, one with Port wine and the other with DOC Douro wine, both with special packaging. The DOC Douro pack consists of a bottle of Quinta da Boa-Vista Douro Reserva Red (2019) and a glass, costing €47. The Port wine suggestion includes a kit with a bottle of 20 year old Tawny and two glass goblets with the Cálem logo, worth €49.50. For those who are fans of Port wine and want to offer a personalized gift, you can also customize an iconic Kopke bottle, with special messages and declarations of love, free of charge until February 14th. All information available at UVA WineShop (https://pt.uvawineshop.com/).
ROCIM launches three iconic whites from emblematic regions of the country
13/03/2024To mark the arrival of warm weather, Rocim will launch a limited edition on the market that brings together its three iconic whites, from emblematic wine regions in the country: O Estrangeiro (Dão), Bela Luz (Douro) and Clay Aged (Alentejo). The trio from the 2022 harvest is called ‘Great Whites from Rocim’, and appears in a personalized box with the image of the great white shark, developed by Rocim’s in-house team. Only 30 units will be available, for sale in the online store, for approximately 100 euros. The wines, with oenology by Catarina Vieira and Pedro Ribeiro, are also available for individual sale. The action reinforces Rocim’s commitment to reinforcing the diversity of its portfolio and consolidating great wines from projects in various wine-growing regions of the country, while continuing to surprise consumers with distinct wine experiences. «The combination of three of our most iconic white wines, from the same year, in a unique product, will allow the consumer to travel through three wine-growing regions of the country and experience what distinguishes them. We want Great Whites from Rocim to be a moment of special consumption, to welcome long days because the wine is always much more than what the bottle contains», says Pedro Ribeiro, winemaker and administrator of Rocim.
With DNA strongly cemented in the Alentejo, this exclusive release includes one of Rocim’s most acclaimed wines, Clay Aged, a unique wine, trodden by foot in a stone press, with all its stems and only indigenous yeasts, aged in clay from Herdade do Rocim and produced from the Verdelho, Viosinho and Alvarinho grape varieties. Of Rocim’s presence in Dão, O Estrangeiro is the iconic reference, a field blend of old vines, just like Bela Luz, which consolidated and reinforced Rocim’s presence in Douro.
The brand, which already had a vineyard in the Lisbon – Vale da Mata region, is strongly based in Alentejo, but has, over the years, invested in other regions, with vineyards in Douro and Dão and partnerships with wine producers in islands of Madeira and the Azores, the Algarve and Vinhos Verdes. Last year he launched an Arinto, from Lisbon, in a project that brought together Rocim winemaker, Pedro Ribeiro, and Austrian winemaker, Lenz Moser. «We are curious by nature. We like to anticipate and create trends and surprise lovers of special wines», concludes Pedro Ribeiro.
The trio of wines can be purchased at selected wine stores or at the Rocim winery wine tourism store.
Symington suggests Bom Rascal for Easter lunches or Father’s Day
12/03/2024With the days getting longer and the sun peeking out, moments of conviviality and leisure with family and friends are back. Between good conversations and good food, Symington Family Estates suggests the company of Bom Malandro, its latest project in the area of still wines. Launched at the end of last year, the wine comes in white and red.
Bom Malandro DOC Douro Red 2021 and White 2022 are traditional Douro blends, fresh and young. Produced with grapes from high-altitude vineyards, they have a balanced profile, with an aromatic and fruity character, ideal for serving good tables and conversations between groups. With a full-bodied and velvety profile and aromas of red fruits, Bom Malando Tinto is ideal to accompany dishes such as roast lamb or duck rice, delicacies enjoyed at Easter. But not only that: in more relaxed moments, why not combine it with hard cheeses, such as manchego or aged cheddar, or with hamburgers grilled over charcoal.
The freshness of Bom Malandro Branco is the perfect complement for hotter days. The combination of pineapple and mango aromas, with a touch of plum and subtle notes of vanilla, makes this wine the ideal pairing for fish dishes such as marinated fish or cod with cream. And if spring and summer afternoons don’t go without a picnic, chicken salads, soft cheeses or shrimp ceviche, they won’t go without Bom Malandro Branco.
More than a wine, Bom Malandro is an invitation to appreciate the best in life, with the right dose of irreverence. With Father’s Day and Easter approaching, the challenge is set: forget about deadlines, the rush and stress of everyday life, and be at the table with family and friends, chatting, socializing and, of course, to eat and drink. Bom Malandro wines are available in restaurant channels and in specialized wine stores. For sale in multiple online wine stores, Bom Malandro has a recommended RRP of eight euros. More information about Bom Malandro DOC Douro Red and White is available on the [bommalandro.pt] website and on the Instagram and [facebook.com/bommalandrovinho] Facebook pages.
Wine tourism in full swing at Adega da Vidigueira
11/03/2024It’s called ‘Talha à Mesa’, it will take place at Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito, on the 23rd and 24th of March, with the aim of elevating the role of Talha Wine in Portuguese gastronomy. For this, renowned chefs with connections to Alentejo were invited, José Júlio Vintém, João Mourato and Pedro Mendes, who over the two days have the task of impressing visitors with their food suggestions that combine harmoniously with the wines from the carvings. In addition to wine lunches and dinners, the program includes showcooking in the vineyard and cellar, masterclasses on carved wines and a carved wine bar, among other activities included in the theme.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the chefs cook in a century-old vineyard and on Saturday afternoon, showcooking takes place in the cellar. But the program, taking place between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on Sunday, includes other activities that will allow visitors to participate and actively contact the chefs, especially because the idea is that «the event is educational and instill in the consumer the desire to explore the gastronomic potential of carved wine», says Luis Gradíssimo, from the event organization. All activities can be purchased individually with prices ranging from €10 to €65 with availability between 15 and 150 people. Tickets are on sale at Ticketline and on the Adega website.
«It is time to elevate the role of Vinho de Talha in Portuguese gastronomy and position it in a premium segment, as a wine par excellence for pairing with food, especially at this important moment in which its inscription in the National Inventory of Cultural Heritage has been approved. Intangible Material (INPCI) of Talha Wine Production», says José Miguel Almeida, president of Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito.
‘Talha à mesa’ has its first edition scheduled for the first weekend of Spring, but the Adega intends for it to be repeated every year because, for the guest chefs, «Talha Wine is increasingly a presence on restaurant menus and there are more and more gastronomic experiences to find dishes that harmonize with these new released aromas and flavors typical of a good Talha Wine» concludes the director.
The program includes a variety of activities that aim to show the relevance that Talha Wine can have in Gastronomy:
– Wine meals: Exclusive lunches and dinners, prepared by guest chefs (José Júlio Vintém, João Mourato and Pedro Mendes), paired with Talha wines;
– Talha Wine Masterclass: A special and very restricted tasting where different styles of Talha Wine will be tasted, combined with a little history and sharing of this ancient art;
– Showcookings in the Vine: Combining a culinary demonstration with pairing with Talha Wines, in the unique environment of a century-old vineyard in the region;
– 5 o’clock glass: a moment dedicated to snacks and Talha Wine, which includes the service of a selection of traditional snacks with Talha wine to accompany;
– Talha Wine Bar: A display of Talha Wines, from different producers, where you can taste and get to know different houses and wine profiles;
– Varied animation: Throughout the event, in different places and moments, different animation notes.
PROGRAM:
Saturday
– 11am-12pm: “Cozinha na Vinha” Show cooking at Vinhas Centenárias – João Mourato
– 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Talha à Mesa lunch with João Mourato
– 2:30 pm – 3 pm: Coffee & Digestive (Balcony | Spirits Room – Brandy and Fortified served from the barrel)
– 3-8pm: Talha Wine Bar & Musical Entertainment (Adega Velha)
– 3:30pm-4:30pm – Carved wine masterclass
– 5-6pm: “Cup of 5” – Regional snacks and Talha Wine
– 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: “Kitchen at the Cellar” Showcooking at the Cellar – Pedro Mendes
– 8pm – 10pm: Talha à Mesa Pedro Mendes Dinner & Entertainment
Sunday
– 11-12h: “Kitchen in the Vine” with José Júlio Vintém
– 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Lunch with José Júlio Vintém
– 2:30 pm – 3 pm: Coffee & Digestive (Balcony | Spirits room)
– (*optional) 3:30pm-4:30pm – Carved wine masterclass
– (*optional) 5-6pm: “5 o’clock cup”
Guarita da Chocapalha: a tribute to the family patriarch
08/03/2024Perfect to honor all the family patriarchs, Quinta de Chocapalha suggests Guarita 2016 as an offering for Father’s Day. Designed for family, this red from old vines is a tribute to Paulo Tavares da Silva, a Navy officer who in the middle of The 80s moved to the countryside and led Alice, his wife, and their three daughters — Sofia, Andrea and Sandra – to embark on the adventure that is Quinta de Chocapalha. With a limited and numbered production of 2,580 bottles, this monovarietal Alicante Bouschet combines the characteristics of the grape variety with those of the patriarch: determination, strength and personality.
The year 2015 was the first harvest of this wine, when Alicante Bouschet reached, at Quinta de Chocapalha, the expected quality level. The result resulted in an opaque wine in color, which presents a great density of black fruits and chocolate, but with a fine profile. It has a large volume in the mouth, with a silky texture complemented by high quality tannins. A tribute created and designed together by the Tavares da Silva family, it is also the ideal suggestion and tribute to offer, and toast, all fathers and patriarchs. For sale in selected wine stores and at the Quinta de Chocapalha wine tourism store.
Symington family evokes ‘Matriarch’ on Women’s Day
07/03/2024On March 8th, the Symington family and the Vinum restaurant will challenge members of the Matriarca – Clube de Oenophiles to travel back in time to the 19th century. A typical Douro banquet, with food, music and period costumes, is the setting chosen to mark Women’s Day, celebrating the life of Beatriz Leitão de Carvalhosa Atkinson – wife of Andrew James, the first Symington to come to Portugal to work in the port wine sector, in 1882 –, and thus paying tribute to all women.
From 8:00 pm, among the cask corridors of Graham’s Cellars, diners will be transported to one of the famous dinners of the matriarch of the Symington family, an enthusiast for late-night conversations around a lavish table. Over the course of a five-part meal, you will be able to try a variety of delicacies that evoke typical Douro cuisine. Gizzards, rojões, roasted chorizo, soup from the stone, roast suckling pig with chestnuts, bacon from heaven and even a selection of cheeses. Each moment of the menu will be harmonized with some of the main references from the Symington family’s wine portfolio, such as Quinta do Vesúvio DOC 2016 or Graham’s Tawny 20 Years Porto.
Designed for wine lovers, gastronomy enthusiasts, or simply for the more curious, Matriarca – Clube de Enófilos opened its doors to founding members at the end of last year. The legacy of Beatriz Atkinson, master of the art of welcoming, adept at banquets with family and friends, and a decisive element in the construction and success of the family business, served as inspiration for the launch of the project by the fifth generation of the Symington family.
In addition to the cultural program that includes unique events – some of them free –, members receive, throughout the year, two deliveries of a selection of six bottles of Symington wines, with a commercial value greater than the amount paid for the annual subscription. Matriarca also offers access to an exclusive online store, which includes rare references and restricted releases. Members also receive an annual voucher for two people, valid for family visit centers, as well as a 10% discount on all experiences in the Symington universe. More than a club, Matriarca presents itself as a community, enabling its members to interact with other wine and food lovers.
It should be noted that two subscription options are available: the first worth 350 euros per year, to receive a selection of premium wines; the second worth 500 euros per year, to have access to a selection of super premium wines. It is still possible to reserve a place on the Matriarch, but registrations will close as soon as the 100th member is found. Subsequent applications will be placed on a waiting list until a new entry phase is announced. More information at matriarca-club.pt.
Quinta do Bomfim reveals new space to welcome companies
06/03/2024The recently opened Quinta do Bomfim Vintage Room – owned by Symington Family Estates for five generations, located in Pinhão – is prepared to host meetings, presentations, receptions and other business events. With the Douro as a backdrop, this new space – cosily decorated and making use of natural light, enhancing the property’s historical layout – brings together all the necessary conditions to host group events, including projection and sound equipment.
Integrating all the amenities to provide personalized events, booking the Vintage Room includes a coffee station, with coffee, water and tea. There is also the possibility of adding a more complete coffee break service, whose menu includes coffee, tea and juice, as well as fruit, cake and mini-sandwiches. Groups are also invited to visit the “home” of the renowned Dow’s Port wines, winner of the ‘Global Winner’ distinction in the Best of Wine Tourism 2024 awards. Through the visit, which can be complemented by a wine tasting, it is possible to discover the history of the property and the family.
To enjoy a complete experience, combining the discovery of a unique landscape with the authenticity of Port wine and the flavors of the region, Quinta do Bomfim suggests continuing the gathering at the Bomfim 1986 with Pedro Lemos restaurant, located on the property. Built on the top floor of an old wine warehouse, the restaurant, which finds inspiration in the ancient kitchens of the Douro, is an ode to classic cuisine and haute cuisine.
Upon advance reservation, groups can enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurant and select one of two available menus. The first option, which costs 70 euros per person, includes four moments: starter, fish or vegetarian dish, meat or vegetarian dish and dessert. The second option, priced at 90 euros per person, includes, in addition to the previous options, a second starter, and a selection of Portuguese cheeses. Stew with fish of the day, bivalves and squid, lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven and mille feuille with smoked cream and salted caramel are just some of the suggestions on the group menus, which can be paired with wines from the Symington family portfolio.
With capacity for 56 people, the Vintage Room can be rented for a full day or half a day. Reservations must be made at least seven days in advance, with the possibility of canceling without penalty up to 72 hours in advance. For more information, contact quintadobomfim@symington.com