Graham’s announces release of Porto Tawny 50 Years
24/07/2024Graham’s, a renowned Port wine house owned by the Symington family, has just unveiled the new Porto Tawny 50 Anos, which joins the Graham’s 40 Anos as part of the brand’s exclusive Aged Tawny Collection. This release has been meticulously overseen by two generations of master blenders, Peter Symington and his son, Charles Symington. The Graham’s Porto Tawny 50 Anos stands as a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship involved in nurturing the wines that make up this blend—some of which were among the first produced by the Symington family after acquiring Graham’s in 1970.
Charles Symington, Graham’s principal winemaker, carefully selected the two primary components for the 50 Anos blend. The first component is a 1969 wine, set aside by Peter Symington to mark Charles’s birth and known by its initials, CAS Reserve. The second component includes wines from 1970 and 1973, blended in 1982. The evaporation of more than 50% of these wines during their long aging process has resulted in a remarkable concentration.
The Graham’s Porto Tawny 50 Anos features deep amber-orange tones, bordered by a dark walnut base and a pale green rim. It boasts complex aromas with layers of orange blossom, fruitcake, and caramel, creating a balanced and concentrated sensory experience. On the palate, the wine is rich and creamy with vibrant acidity, notes of seasoned wood, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and a lingering finish that persists on the taste buds.
The presentation of the Aged Tawny Collection draws inspiration from the age and uniqueness of the Porto Tawny 40 and 50 Anos. The illustrations, created by Portuguese artist Mariana Rodrigues, reflect some of the rarest elements of the Douro Valley’s fauna and flora—a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001. Each bottle is housed in a wooden box lined with wallpaper inside and tiles on the back, evoking the familiarity of a home environment and revisiting British interior design trends since the 16th century.
Charles Symington, a fourth-generation member of the Symington family, emphasizes the significance of this Porto Tawny 50 Anos: “This 50-year-old Tawny Port is particularly important to us because the blend includes some of the first wines our family produced after acquiring Graham’s in 1970. It is especially moving to include a wine that my father originally set aside to commemorate my birth year.” He adds, “I am immensely proud of this 50-year-old, which possesses the exceptional concentration and complexity that only prolonged aging in wood can provide.”
The Graham’s Porto Tawny 50 Anos will soon be available in specialized wine shops, with 0.75-liter bottles priced at a recommended retail price of 500 euros and 4.5-liter bottles at 2700 euros.
Casal Garcia celebrates 85 years with a limited edition
22/07/2024In the special moment of celebrating 85 years, Casal Garcia, produced by Quinta da Aveleda, launches a campaign based on three stories of joy. With a fun narrative that reflects the essence of the brand and surprises the consumer, Casal Garcia presents three videos where the spirit of friendship and joy resolve three embarrassing situations. An awkward but meaningful marriage proposal, a relaxed get-together among friends that ends with an unexpected guest, and a delay that reveals a hidden talent. Three distinct contexts that end in a way only Casal Garcia can provide, with joy and good energy.
Simultaneously, the campaign incorporates the iconic jingle ‘Haja Alegria. Haja Casal Garcia’, reinforcing the brand’s presence in the music territory, where the brand has been active for several years. The rhyme, which is practically the brand’s anthem and still resonates with the Portuguese today, demonstrates that Casal Garcia is an essential element when it comes to celebrating. Present in various digital media, TV, and outdoor, the campaign highlights the range of Wines, Sangrias, and Fruitzy. It features creativity from Opal Publicidade and production by Ideias com Pernas.
“This campaign celebrates the legacy of Casal Garcia. We commemorate the special milestone of 85 years with the creation of an advertising campaign that promises to bring joy to all consumers. Casal Garcia is a frequent presence in joyful moments of the consumer’s daily life, accompanying generations, reinventing itself with each new product,” says Isabel Barbosa, Senior Brand Manager of Casal Garcia. “We chose three fun situations to once again explore various forms of joy, always with Casal Garcia as the driver of happy endings,” she adds.
As a complement to the new campaign, Casal Garcia presents a limited edition label of Casal Garcia Branco. The bottle features the signature ‘Haja Alegria’, replacing the usual logo and thus reinforcing this unmistakable brand code. This edition will be available at the point of sale until the end of summer. And because the news doesn’t stop, the brand launched two new products this year: Casal Garcia Sangria Rosé and Casal Garcia Fruitzy Passionfruit, both awarded 91 points at the IWSC 2024 Alternative Drinks Competition.
LindeborgWines Appoints António Pista as New CEO
19/07/2024LindeborgWines, the wine group owned by Swedish entrepreneur Thomas Lindeborg (Executive Chairman), is pleased to announce the appointment of António Pista as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This strategic decision aims to strengthen the group’s leadership and expand its presence in the international wine market.
António Pista, previously Export Manager at LindeborgWines, brings extensive experience and knowledge to his new role. He holds a degree in Economics from the Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) and has been working in the wine industry for approximately 15 years. Since 2021, António has led LindeborgWines’ export department – with the Brazilian and American markets remaining under his responsibility – contributing significantly to the company’s international growth and success.
LindeborgWines owns four prestigious estates in Portugal: Quinta da Folgorosa and Vinhos Cortém in Lisbon; Quinta Vale do Armo in the Tejo region; and Herdade da Cabeceira in Alentejo. With António Pista at the helm, LindeborgWines is poised to continue enhancing its reputation for producing high-quality wines and exploring new growth and expansion opportunities, both domestically and internationally.
Trilogy of Arintos from Quinta do Boição
17/07/2024The first release of this limited collection is the Quinta do Boição Arinto Pelicular 2019 Doc Bucelas. This special wine is inspired by tradition and reinvented by the excellence of modern winemaking. In this process, the white grapes are vinified by the same method as red grapes, where fermentation occurs in contact with their own skins and yeasts, resulting in an orange color, also known as ‘Orange Wine’. With 6 months of aging in French oak barrels, this wine demonstrates an indefinite aging potential, promising to evolve and surprise over the years. “We are proud of the new Quinta do Boição Arinto Pelicular 2019 that we present, affirming our commitment to innovation and excellence, combined with tradition and traditional practices,” says winemaker Nuno Faria. This is a limited production of 3000 numbered bottles.
At the beginning of the last quarter of this year, the release of a Traditional Arinto from 2022 is planned, a year that saw an early harvest and fermentation with indigenous yeasts and without the addition of nutrients to the must, resulting in a wine with low alcohol content and high acidity.
Before the end of the year, from the 2024 harvest, the Trilogy of Arintos will be completed with the third Arinto, a young wine, without barrel aging, full of the fruity aromas of the Arinto grape variety. With the Trilogy of Arintos complete, a pack with all three references will be available.
Located in the Lisbon region, with only 140 hectares of planted vineyards, Bucelas is the only Denomination of Controlled Origin in Portugal for white wines, for the Arinto, Esgana Cão, and Rabo-de-Ovelha grape varieties. This sub-region is an authentic oenological gem with unique conditions where Arinto shows the greatest genetic variability and assumes the maximum expression of its character. The influence of the Atlantic, the Tagus River, and the Trancão River, as well as the mountains, slopes, and soils derived from marls and limestone, in their climatic diversity, this terroir is completely distinct and incomparable. It presents natural humidification, and agricultural practices are manual, such as picking, pruning, and tying.
Quinta do Boição has 28 hectares of vineyards, with some plots considered old vineyards as they are over 60 years old. Their Doc Bucelas wines are fresh, have balanced acidity, and have a high aging potential.
From the mastery of its winemaker: two debuts in the Domingos Soares Franco Private Collection
10/07/2024José Maria da Fonseca has just announced a quartet of novelties in the Domingos Soares Franco Private Collection – two debuts with the new references DSF Castelão 2015 and DSF Syrah 2021; and two new harvests of the wines DSF Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2023 and DSF Verdelho 2023. This range of wines reflects the experimental nature of winemaker Domingos Soares Franco and perfectly embodies the passion, creative spirit, and dedication that Domingos brings to his creations, for an authentic experience.
As a result of the commitment and importance that the Castelão grape variety holds for José Maria da Fonseca, a 100% Castelão varietal could not be missing from this collection. With a production of 6,000 liters, the Private Collection DSF Castelão 2015 is a red wine with a deep red color and brownish hints. On the nose, it exhibits aromas of eucalyptus and spices, as well as a more elegant and astute side. On the palate, it presents itself as a rustic wine with good acidity and balance. The tannins are present but smooth, making it a wine with excellent aging potential, up to 15 years after bottling.
Complementing the region’s choice red grape variety, the second release is the Private Collection DSF Syrah 2021. With a deep red hue, it presents aromas of black fruits such as blueberry, bergamot, wild blackberry, and spices. On the palate, it is velvety, balanced, fruity, with some black pepper. It has good acidity and present, though smooth, tannins. With a production of 9,000 liters, it is also a wine with longevity.
Regarding the new harvests, the Private Collection DSF Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2023 is a wine characterized by freshness and uniqueness, as it is produced using a noble and very rare grape variety. With aromatic persistence of white roses and jasmine, this rosé presents a very light petroleum color and reveals a fresh and balanced palate. It is a wine to be consumed young and ideal to accompany light meals, oriental dishes, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Finally, the Private Collection DSF Verdelho 2023 is a varietal with a lemon-yellow color and greenish tones, presenting aromas of orange blossom, lime, green tea, and lantana. This white wine presents a very fresh palate with a prominent and well-integrated crisp acidity with the fruit. Its finish is medium and it should be consumed young. “In all the harvests of the Private Collection, I have total freedom and creativity to decide which wines I will make and how I will make them. This allows me to draw on various ideas and inspirations, resulting in unique and distinctive wine creations,” says Domingos Soares Franco.
Casa de Santar Welcomes Summer with a New Rosé
08/07/2024Casa de Santar Reserva Rosé 2022 has just hit the market. Crystal clear and salmon pink in color, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif and with lightly seasoned dishes based on fish, grilled white and red meats. The aroma is intense, complex, with slight notes of fresh red fruits. The flavor is fresh, fruity, complex, and has a long persistence.
With an RRP of 15.75 euros, Casa de Santar Reserva Rosé should be consumed at a temperature of 10°C and can be found in specialty stores, wine shops, or online at 1990.wine.
This single-variety wine, 100% Touriga Nacional, is perfect for toasting to the warm summer days and is signed by Paulo Prior, director of winemaking at Global Wines.
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo launches Mirabilis white 2022
05/07/2024Singular and the result of a filigree and precision viticulture, the Mirabilis white 2022 now comes to the market with the irrevocable quality seal of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Originating from the rigorous selection of small parcels of scarce vineyards and the dream of going further to design a Douro wine for the World, the new vintage continues the legacy of the last decade and translates into an authentic and rare wine, without physical barriers.
“Entering the Mirabilis world is transcending territoriality, it is creating with energy and conviction an unrepeatable wine that perpetuates over time. A promise of discovery,” argues Luísa Amorim, CEO of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. “The waiting time in the bottle has proved beneficial, granting the wine an extra layer of complexity and elegance, with emphasis on freshness, structure, and acidity,” she emphasizes.
Like previous editions, the Mirabilis white 2022 also originates from the highest topographies of the Douro, where old vine grapes dwell, some of them centuries old. It is in the altitude that the wine region transforms, with lower temperatures allowing white grapes to reach the ideal ripening point. Fruit and minerality are expressed clearly and transparently, characteristics that interconnect with the firm texture and linear structure that define the backbone of this reference, marked also by an unmatched depth.
Made from Viosinho and Gouveio, among other extremely rare grape varieties, at the genesis of Mirabilis are also transition soils between shale and granite, located at an altitude of over 650 meters. This wine has a stage in second and third-year wood, to slowly and harmoniously mark and integrate the intense fruit. A minimalist winemaking, a maximal defender of the preservation of this mountain viticulture, as timeless as the Douro Valley.
“2022 was one of the most challenging years in the Douro. There is no doubt that altitude and human hand make the difference in deciding the optimal ripening point, despite the hot days and cool nights of August. The morning dew from the highlands of the Douro kept the perfumes, fruity aromas, fine texture, and dense structure,” ensures the winemaking team of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Jorge Alves and António Bastos.
Fine and complex aromas, marked by white fruit, spices, and wildflowers, join the mineral notes of wet stone from a wine defined by firm structure and granitic texture. On the palate, the sparkling acidity and the full-bodied tension and energy complete a wonderful narrative, which extends over time and history.
Churchill’s launches limited edition of Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port
03/07/2024Churchill’s announced the release of a limited edition of Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port – the latest edition of its Single Quinta Vintage Port wine. Johnny Graham, founder and master blender of Churchill’s, describes it as “a classic Quinta da Gricha Vintage with intensity and elegance, with potential for aging in the bottle for many years.” With a deep color, a spicy nose, and aromas of rockrose and fresh blueberries, “it is rich and vibrant, with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish,” says Johnny Graham.
Quinta da Gricha is located on the south bank of the Douro River between Pinhão and Tua, facing north. The property, with 40 hectares, includes a vineyard area of approximately 30 hectares. Named after the natural spring (gricha) that feeds the north-facing vineyards, Quinta da Gricha is situated in a microclimate between 150 and 400 meters above sea level, with an exposure to the wind that naturally regulates humidity. The oldest vines are over 70 years old and produce wines with structure and a vibrant natural acidity. The richness of Gricha’s terroir produces wines with characteristic minerality, freshness, and pure energy.
Quinta da Gricha’s Vintage Ports are produced with minimal intervention: sourced exclusively from the estate’s old vines, the grapes are hand-picked, double-sorted, and foot-trodden in the traditional granite lagares of the Quinta, with a prolonged natural fermentation process that uses only native yeasts. “A true example of the unique conditions of this place.”
The Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 was the result of a very hot and dry year. Due to the lack of precipitation and high temperatures during the ripening period, the harvest started earlier than expected. Some rainfall and lower temperatures in early September benefited the overall quality of the grapes, without having a major impact on yields, which were 15 to 20% below the previous year. The old vines producing this Single Quinta Vintage were harvested on September 11th under perfect weather conditions.
“Despite the very difficult conditions preceding the harvest, with a dramatic lack of water since winter and extremely hot and dry summer months, our Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 is a true example of the unique conditions of this magical place: a Port full of grip and intensity, but at the same time elegant, pure, and seductive. A wine I am very proud to showcase,” says Ricardo Pinto Nunes, Production Director and Winemaker at Churchill’s. “Despite the hot and dry year, this Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 presents a characteristic aroma of spices and resin, with fresh and exuberant notes of blueberry on the palate. It is a classic Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port, with intensity and elegance, that will age gracefully for many years,” notes Johnny Graham, Founder and Chief Winemaker at Churchill’s.
All Quinta da Gricha’s Vintage Ports are produced in very small quantities. The Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port is a bottling of only 3094 numbered bottles of 75cl and 150 magnums (1.5l).
Available at Churchill’s wine tourism spaces, wine stores, and specialized shops.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos celebrates second anniversary
28/06/2024The restaurant Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos—located at Quinta do Bomfim in Pinhão—is preparing to mark its second year of operation with exclusive opportunities. In celebration, the restaurant, which entered the prestigious Michelin Guide this year, will offer the unique opportunity to experience the Vintage Dow’s 1970—a wine produced on the property by the Symington family. As an anniversary novelty, the restaurant will also introduce a new wine pairing to its tasting menu, featuring wines produced by members of the Primum Familiae Vini—an international association composed of 12 highly respected winemaking families. These new experiences have been available since June 11.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos is a gastronomic project resulting from a partnership between the Symington family and chef Pedro Lemos, located on the upper floor of an old wine warehouse at Quinta do Bomfim. On a property that has belonged to the Symington family for five generations, the restaurant features an open kitchen, reminiscent of the communal and shared meals in the old large-chimney kitchens of the Douro. Wood-fired cooking and ingredients from national producers are the stars of a menu that pays homage to traditional Douro flavors. Surrounded by the unique landscape of the region, with views of the vineyards, the restaurant’s balcony is the ideal place to enjoy a summer lunch, serving as a window to the Douro.
As a proud member of Primum Familiae Vini, Symington will take the occasion of the restaurant’s anniversary to share with Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos’ customers some of the wines produced by other members of the association. From the Champagne region, a Brut Vintage from Pol Roger; from Burgundy, Les Clos Mâcon Bussières by Joseph Drouhin; from the Perrin family in the Rhône Valley, the white Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards; from Tuscany, Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva, Tenuta Tiagnello; and from the Symington family, a Dow’s 30 Years Port. These are the five wines included in the new wine pairing, which can, from June 11, accompany the tasting menu.
The PFV Pairing will cost 80 euros, in addition to the 110 euros for the tasting menu. For the restaurant’s second-anniversary celebration, on June 11, there will be a special offer to discover the tasting menu along with the new pairing for the special price of 120 euros.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos is open from Tuesday to Saturday, for lunch (between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM) and dinner (between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM). Advance reservation is recommended through the website www.bomfim1896.pt.
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021 Awarded Grand Gold Medal at the 2024 Portugal Wine Competition
26/06/2024Planted in 2004, Vinha da Francisca stands as a symbol of viticultural excellence in the Douro region, blending five emblematic grape varieties: Sousão, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Francisca, and Rufete. Spanning 4.5 hectares in the heart of Quinta Vale D. Maria, this vineyard, predominantly facing south and southeast, yields grapes of exceptional quality. It was these grapes, harvested in 2021, that gave rise to the award-winning wine for the fourth consecutive year: Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021, distinguished with the Grand Gold Medal at the 2024 Portugal Wine Competition.
Marked by unpredictable weather conditions in the Douro, 2021 posed some challenges, although it culminated in a balanced harvest. Winter rains were sufficient to replenish reserves until the beginning of summer, but the lack of water in July and August presented a new challenge. However, cool nights and the absence of extreme heat ultimately allowed for balanced ripening, while unexpected rains in September fulfilled the water needs. Harvesting, which began in September and extended into October, required meticulous monitoring and precise decision-making at the time of harvest, resulting in the exceptional quality of the wines.
Characterized by attention to detail, the vinification process of Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021 thus resulted in an excellent wine. The grapes are handpicked, carefully selected, and destemmed before being fermented in granite lagares for 7 to 10 days at controlled temperatures. After fermentation, the wine is transferred to new French oak barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and matures for 20 months before final selection and bottling.
This wine presents an intense color and fruity aromas of dark red fruits, such as black cherry and blackcurrant, along with floral and spicy notes, such as black pepper, which impart complexity and elegance to its structure.
The 2024 Portugal Wine Competition featured over 1,300 national references evaluated by 132 sector specialists, both national and international. The Grand Gold and Gold medals awarded in this competition ensure the presence of the wines at prominent international events, providing a unique opportunity for the international promotion of Portuguese producers.
For more information about Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021 and other wines from Quinta Vale D. Maria, visit the official website at www.quintavaledmaria.pt.
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca Tinto 2021 – 0.75L | RRP: €90