Christmas Wine Tourism at Adega da Vidigueira

Adega Vidigueira, Cuba e Alvito presents a variety of wine tourism vouchers and experiences that invite you to discover the rich wine culture of the Alentejo. With options ranging from €10 to €80, the offers include guided tours, wine tastings, and themed programs, providing unforgettable moments for wine lovers and those interested in Alentejo traditions.

Among the suggestions, the Experience Voucher – Harvest Program stands out at €75, allowing participants to take part in the grape harvest and experience the ancestral practices of the harvest. Another option is the Experience Voucher – Visit to Centenary Vineyards and Wine Tasting, available for €17.50, which offers a walk through historic vineyards followed by a tasting of selected wines. For lovers of the region’s emblematic grape variety, the Experience Voucher – Visit and Tasting of Antão Vaz Wines offers, for €12.50, an immersion in the flavors of this Alentejo grape. Those seeking a more sophisticated experience can opt for the Experience Voucher – Visit and Tasting of Premium Wines, ideal for those who wish to explore the winery’s excellent labels.

In addition to vouchers, Adega Vidigueira offers a wide range of wines and products, including red, white, rosé, sparkling wines, brandies, and wines aged in clay amphorae. With affordable prices, options such as Vidigueira Antão Vaz DOC for €4.49 or Vidigueira Alicante Bouschet DOC for €7.49 are just some of the proposals for those who wish to take a piece of the Alentejo home.

The vouchers are an excellent suggestion for gifts, especially during the Christmas season, providing authentic and personalized experiences to explore the world of wine and the region’s heritage.

Wine Tourism Programs at Adega da Vidigueira

On December 7th and 8th, the 26th edition of Vitifrades will take place, an annual celebration honoring Talha Wine. During these days, the Taberna dos Arcos in Vila de Frades will have extended hours, from 11 AM to 12 AM, offering a menu of traditional dishes and snacks.

Throughout the month, the Winery will also offer a Talha Opening Program for groups of up to 100 people. This program can be complemented by a performance from the Winery’s Choral Group, making the experience even more unforgettable!

For more information, reservations, or clarifications, please visit the Winery’s website: https://adegavidigueira.pt/casa-das-talhas/eventos/mes-vinho/, call: 933 000 737/284 437 240 or send an email: casadastalhas@adegavidigueira.pt

New Dishes Arrive at JNcQUOI Avenida

JNcQUOI Avenida is reinforcing its gastronomic excellence with the addition of Chef Filipe Carvalho to the team led by Chef António Bóia. Together, the two chefs present a new menu that combines iconic classics with bold creations, further elevating the experience offered by this emblematic space in Lisbon.

Among the novelties are surprising starters like Pecado, which combines caviar, salmon, and eels (80€), and main courses that pay homage to the Portuguese coast, such as Seabass with eels and clams in green sauce (77€). The Deli Bar, on the lower floor, also stands out with new options such as Russian salad with belly pork and fresh tuna (25€) and Bitoque with foie gras and potato chips (37€).

For Filipe Carvalho, who joined JNcQUOI in 2023 after a stint at the Michelin-starred Fifty Seconds, the challenge is to modernize the offer while maintaining the identity that makes the restaurant an icon. Opened in 2017, JNcQUOI Avenida combines gastronomy, fashion, and lifestyle in a unique concept, with spaces spread across Lisbon and Comporta, and is open from Sunday to Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, and from Thursday to Saturday until 2:00 am.

In addition to being a renowned restaurant, JNcQUOI Avenida also stands out as a meeting point for urban wine tourism, offering a complete experience that harmonizes haute cuisine and a carefully curated selection of wines in an exclusive setting.

Paço de Teixeiró Launches New Top-of-the-Range Wine

Only 3,333 bottles of the new Vinha de Souzais have been produced, a wine from the Baião sub-region that, according to the Wine Stone group, the brand’s owner, is a testament to the dedication and meticulous winemaking process that characterizes Paço de Teixeiro. “This top-of-the-range wine is an important step for Paço de Teixeiro. With a keen eye on preserving the region’s winemaking traditions and a commitment to innovation, WineStone has developed a portfolio that reflects the uniqueness of the Baião terroir, while reinforcing Paço de Teixeiro’s identity as a producer of excellent wines,” declared David Baverstock, Chairman Winemaker of WineStone, further emphasizing: “This portfolio expansion reflects our mission to offer a rich and varied experience, respecting the tradition and quality that characterize the Vinho Verde region, and also to recognize the entire history of the brand.”

The origin of this wine goes back to a truly special plot. Located at an altitude of 430 meters, the vineyard was planted approximately 45 years ago, in schistous soils that give the wine a distinctive personality. The soils, shaped by the rugged geography of the Baião region, are the true responsible for the characteristics of this wine, mineral, deep, with character. The composition of the wine results from a careful selection of three emblematic grape varieties of the region: Avesso, Loureiro, and Trajadura. Each of the grape varieties brings with it a history, a tradition, an ancestral memory of the Minho vineyards.

The production process reveals the same dedication present in the choice of grapes. The initial fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, ensuring the preservation of primary aromas. A portion of 40% of the wine completes its fermentation in new French oak barrels, adding complexity and sophistication. The five-month aging process, which includes the technique of batonnage – a traditional method of stirring the fine lees – helps to enrich the texture and broaden the aromatic horizons of the wine. On the nose, it is mineral, citrusy, and with notes of white fruit. On the palate, it has genuine fruit, complemented by a touch of wood and spice.

Vintner’s Table: Christmas Edition at Quinta do Bomfim’s Wine Tourism

On November 27th at 12:30 PM, the Bomfim 1896 restaurant with Pedro Lemos, located at Quinta do Bomfim, will host a special Christmas edition of the Vintner’s Table event. Exclusive to 10 people, the lunch will be entirely paired with Dow’s Port wines, showcasing both classic and new releases from their portfolio.

Following a reception with Porto Tónico, the menu kicks off with mushrooms, roots, and cistus, accompanied by Dow’s LBV 2018, recently ranked in Wine Spectator’s Top 100. Among the main courses, highlights include lobster rice paired with Dow’s Colheita 2007 and wood-fired roast suckling kid, harmonized with Dow’s Vintage 2003. Dessert will be a pear, walnut, and cheese tart, paired with Dow’s 30 Year Old Tawny Port.

Victoria Symington, from the fifth generation of the Symington family, will be present at the event and emphasizes: “Port wine is essential for Christmas celebrations, and with this edition, we want to showcase its versatility as a complement to diverse flavors.”

The event costs €90 per person and requires advance booking through the website www.bomfim1896.pt or by contacting info@bomfim1896.com and (+351) 254 730 360.

João Portugal Ramos Creates Special Proposal for Corporate Christmas Parties

João Portugal Ramos is presenting a special proposal for corporate Christmas lunches and dinners, offering an unforgettable wine tourism experience at the Vila Santa Winery in Estremoz. The program includes a lunch paired with wines from the group, an introductory masterclass on Alentejo grape varieties led by a winemaker, and a guided tour of the winery and cellars.

Lunches can be held in unique locations, such as the terrace overlooking the vineyards, the marble presses, or the traditional Alentejo hall, with gastronomic options ranging from traditional Alentejo dishes to vegetarian and vegan options created by Chef Vítor Hugo. The masterclass offers an immersion in the world of Alentejo wines, providing a sensory journey ideal for learning and strengthening bonds.

The João Portugal Ramos Group, with over 30 years of history, is recognized for the quality and internationalization of its wines, highlighting brands such as Marquês de Borba and Duorum. For more information on this and other programs, contact: [endereço de email removido] or call +351 268 339 919, +351 916 693 833 or +351 917 214 042.

Bacalhôa Group Launches Historic Brandy Aged for 50 Years

The Bacalhôa Group recently launched the Aliança XO 50 Years brandy at an event held in the historic Aliança winery in Sangalhos. The date chosen for the launch gained special significance by coinciding with the 65th birthday of winemaker Francisco Antunes, directly responsible for the creation of this brandy. A moment that also celebrated the recognition of the professional’s talent and dedication.

The history of this brandy dates back to 1963, when it was initially distilled using the ‘charentais’ method, which involves a rigorous double distillation. Since then, the brandy has undergone a meticulous aging process, resting for five decades in barrels of different origins – French, American, and Portuguese oak – which contributed to its complexity and depth of flavors.

Approximately ten years ago, a crucial decision was made by the master distillers: a portion of the brandy would be aged in barrels previously used for the traditional Moscatel de Setúbal wine. This choice proved to be fundamental, as it introduced an aromatic sophistication and a differentiated gustatory persistence to the brandy.

Aliança XO 50 Years has a deep amber color, a complex layer of aromas, with notes of dried and candied fruits and hints of oak. On the palate, it stands out for its dryness and complexity. The bottle design also deserves attention. More elegant and refined compared to the previous 10, 20, and 40-year editions, the bottle was designed to convey the exclusivity of the product. More than a container, the packaging was conceived as a collectible item, reinforcing the premium character of the brandy. Its commercialization will initially focus on the Portuguese market, although its internationalization is also already being considered.

Ventozelo Winery Unveils New Menu

Throughout the month of November, the Cantina de Ventozelo is celebrating the olive harvest with a special menu dedicated to new olive oil, created by Chef José Guedes. Available daily for lunch and dinner, this four-course menu highlights the unique flavor of the olive oil produced on the estate, the result of a manual harvest. It includes delicacies such as Olive Bread, Poached Partridge, Codfish à Lagareiro, and Olive Oil and Honey Pudding, paired with Quinta de Ventozelo wines for €55 per person. In addition to savoring the olive oil served in flasks as an appetizer, guests of the Ventozelo Hotel & Quinta can participate in the olive harvest or taste this freshly produced olive oil. This initiative is part of a monthly program to promote regional and seasonal products, organized by the Cantina de Ventozelo, which has highlighted local heritage such as pork, the Douro River, and the organic production of the estate’s garden. According to José Guedes, the goal is to enhance both local production and the region’s gastronomic heritage. The restaurant, open to the public and to guests, thus maintains the tradition of bringing regional cuisine to life in a space that dates back to the old dining room of the Quinta’s workers.

Wine Social Club Celebrates Its Tenth Edition with Award-Winning Wines in Porto

On the 15th of November, The Lodge Porto Hotel is preparing to host the tenth edition of the Wine Social Club, an event that promises to be a landmark in the celebration of Portuguese winemaking. With an exclusive and intimate format, the gathering will be limited to just 30 participants, ensuring a personalized and refined experience for wine tourists.

The spotlight of this special edition will be on two prominent producers in the national wine scene: ODE Winery, led by winemaker Maria Vicente, and Márcio Lopes, an internationally recognized name for his innovation and dedication to the preservation of indigenous Portuguese grape varieties.

Maria Vicente, originally from Alentejo, brings with her an experience of over 20 vintages. Her career spans wine production, but she is also a certified educator of Port and Madeira wines, a certified trainer by the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), and a judge in regional and international wine competitions.

Márcio Lopes represents a new generation of Portuguese winemakers. Born in Porto, he started his career in Melgaço exploring the noble Alvarinho grape variety. After a rich experience in Australia, he founded the ‘Márcio Lopes Winemaker’ project in 2010, which quickly gained national and international recognition.

The event will take place in the exclusive ‘Sala dos Trinta’, a space that promises to provide the perfect atmosphere for this tasting. The gastronomic experience will be led by chef João Vieira, who has prepared a menu to pair with the wines presented. Reservations can be made directly through the The Lodge Porto Hotel website.

Blandy’s Madeira Unveils New 10-Year-Old Collection: A New Generation of Madeira Wine

Blandy’s Madeira presents its new line of 10-Year-Old wines, developed after extensive research into the aging process of each grape variety. This innovative collection features transparent bottles, a first in the Madeira wine market, and colorful labels that facilitate the identification of sweetness levels and wine varieties. The line highlights the four main white grape varieties—Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malvasia—which represent the four classic styles of Madeira wine: dry, medium dry, medium sweet, and sweet.

This launch reflects a new generation of Madeira wines, aligned with current consumption trends. The product combines innovation and tradition, offering a differentiated and unconventional experience for wine lovers. Chris Blandy, CEO of Madeira Wine Company and a member of the seventh generation of the family, along with award-winning winemaker Francisco Albuquerque, continue to preserve the company’s rich heritage while expanding knowledge about Madeira wine. This dedication to the family legacy of over two centuries is the foundation for the continuous development of the brand.

Blandy’s Madeira has invested significantly in research and development to understand the complex aging process of Madeira wine and the challenges posed by climate change. Over the past few years, both the temperature and humidity of the 12 aging rooms, located at Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal and the Caniçal cellars, have been monitored daily to determine the ideal aging conditions for each grape variety. This allows for a meticulous adjustment in the aging process, ensuring that each wine reaches its maximum potential.

The new 10-Year-Old wines result from the harmonious combination of centuries-old techniques and modern knowledge. With fresher and more dynamic characteristics, they reflect new consumption trends without losing the essence of traditional Madeira wine.

The visual renewal is also part of this repositioning, through the introduction of a transparent bottle, customized and developed specifically for this project—an innovation in the Madeira wine market—which allows consumers to appreciate the amber-gold tones of the wine and notice the variations between the grape varieties. In addition, the colorful labels, inspired by the colors found on the island, appeal to the versatility of Madeira wine and indicate the sweetness level, making the consumer’s choice more intuitive.

This launch marks a new chapter in the history of Blandy’s, reaffirming its leadership in the world of Madeira wines. The line invites both enthusiasts and experts on a journey of discovery, where tradition and innovation come together in every glass.