Cocktail Extravaganza, Wine Sunsets and Oysters & Champagne enliven late afternoons at Mind The Glass
09/08/2023The heat calls for fresh and colorful drinks. If we have trendy music to accompany it, it’s perfect!
Perfect is also the pairing that Mind the Glass prepared for the late afternoon: Oysters & Champagne.
From the 10th to the 20th of August, until 8 pm, Mind the Glass offers the Cocktail Extravaganza where, when consuming one of the drinks on the special menu, the wine tourist receives the offer of the second. You can see the Special Cocktails Menu here: https://menus.mindtheglass.pt/mtg-extravaganza.pdf
There is no moment more anticipated than the end of a long day. There is also no better time than the end of the week. At Mind the Glass, you also get the best of both worlds with wine sunsets every Saturday, between 5pm and 9pm. With a DJ set and a special selection of wines.
Finally, what do fresh oysters and a flute of Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut have in common? Your company in Mind the Glass. From Thursday to Monday, until 8pm, for only €15 wine tourists can enjoy this sophisticated pairing. Book your place for these or other activities at reservas@mindtheglass.pt or Telm. 913 093 932.
Mind The Glass opened in February 2022 with a distinct and multidisciplinary concept: A Bistrot, guided by Chef consultant Henrique Ferreira (owner and Chef of Tertúlia, in Nelas), a Garrafeira and a Bar – Wine & Cocktail Bar. A modern, relaxed and comfortable space, where the most demanding connoisseurs and lovers of wine, craft beer and spirits/cocktails can taste a wide range (more than 600 wines by the glass), with the guarantee of quality of service and professional advice from the sommelier of the house, João Lourenço.
Graham’s Caves for the first time in the Top 50 World’s Best Vineyards
08/08/2023Once again, Symington Family Estates sees one of its properties distinguished in the Top 50 of the World’s Best Vineyards awards. The complete ranking, which highlights the best wine tourism experiences across the globe, was announced last week in Rioja – Spain’s renowned wine region –, and Graham’s cellars – owned by the Symington family – made the list for the first time. The organization highlights that «for those interested in experiencing the magnificence of the Douro Valley and its wines, Graham’s cellars offer an unforgettable presentation that will make anyone fall in love with this magical destination».
Quinta do Bomfim – owned by Symington for five generations, located in Pinhão – had already been part of the Top 50 World’s Best Vineyards in 2019, 2021 and in 2022, the year it ranked 37th. The highlight of the Graham’s cellars in the 2023 edition thus marks the fourth distinction awarded to a space belonging to the Symington family by the jury of the World’s Best Vineyards ranking, which annually elects the most interesting wineries to visit, taste wines and discover more about their production process. Symington Visitor Center ranked 40th.
It was 10 years ago that Graham’s reopened to the public after a significant renovation. Over the last decade – a period in which it was visited by more than 225 nationalities – the space has reinforced its position as a reference in the wine tourism sector in Portugal, providing visitors with the possibility of discovering the history of the Douro wine region, while appreciating Symington family wines and discover the methods used in their production.
This year also marks a decade since the inauguration of Vinum at Graham’s restaurant & wine bar, located in the cellars, which has been recognized for the homage paid to the gastronomy of the North of Portugal. Lovers of wine and traditional dishes from northern cuisine will thus be able to combine the best of both worlds and book a gastronomic experience that includes a guided tour of the cellars and a meal at the Vinum restaurant. The recent expansion of the terrace – a process that took into account the history and design of the building – represents new options for visitors, who will have the possibility of enjoying excellent wine and proposals prepared with local ingredients, with the Douro river and the D. Luís I bridge in the background.
More information on booking the different types of visits available at https://pt.grahams-port.com/visit-us.
Harvests of 2022 Chocapalha, a quartet of fresh whites for the summer
07/08/2023There are four novelties: Quinta de Chocapalha Branco, Quinta de Chocapalha Sauvignon Blanc, Quinta de Chocapalha Chardonnay and Quinta de Chocapalha Viosinho. These wines are based on the philosophy of the producers, who focus on the production of wines of origin, elegant and fresh, thus reflecting the authenticity of their terroir.
Quinta de Chocapalha White 2022 is a blend of Viosinho (70%), Arinto (15%) and Verdelho (15%) grape varieties, and comes from vines that are over 32 years old. Fermentation took place for 26 days in stainless steel vats and the wine remained in contact with fine lees for 4 months with battonage. In the glass, it has a bright color. It is a fresh and elegant wine with citrus and floral aromas and hints of lychees. In the mouth, it shows excellent intensity and acidity, very elegant and a persistent aftertaste.
Good aromatic complexity is the characteristic that best defines Quinta de Chocapalha Sauvignon Blanc 2022, thanks to the grape variety from which it originates. Coming from a 29-year-old vineyard, this white fermented for 28 days in stainless steel vats and was also in contact with fine lees for 4 months. With a bright and intense color, on the nose, tropical aromas and light notes of asparagus are evident. It has excellent minerality and good volume, being extremely fresh, elegant and with a long finish.
The Quinta de Chocapalha Chardonnay 2022 is proof of the profile of the wines produced by the producers, with considerable influence from the microclimate of the property, which has an aromatic and fresh profile, conferred by the grapes from which it originates, also from vines with more than 30 years of age. Its winemaking process went through a 27-day fermentation in stainless steel vats and contact with fine lees for 4 months. In the glass, its color is bright and intense and its nose is quite elegant, fresh and aromatic with notes of stone fruits. In the mouth, it is possible to notice a good volume, balanced, with unctuousness and mineral tension. It is a harmonious wine with good acidity and an intense finish.
Finally, Quinta de Chocapalha Viosinho 2022 originates from a 32-year-old vineyard and underwent a longer aging process than the rest of the farm whites, which lasts 6 months in neutral French oak barrels in contact with fine lees and a 20-day fermentation in stainless steel vats at low temperatures. With an intense and bright color, this wine is very fresh and aromatic. On the nose, it reveals aromas of white stone fruits and lychees. In the mouth it has an excellent acidity, texture and balance.
The freshness and elegance that so characterize these farm wines make them the perfect suggestion for warmer days, ideal to be consumed alone or at the table, accompanying light dishes such as salads, white fish and seafood.
The wines can be enjoyed or purchased on the Horeca channel, wine cellars or directly at the producers’ Enoturismo, in Alenquer.
Quinta da Lagoalva with exclusive quartet of wines for hyper and supermarkets
06/08/2023In addition to rebranding, the logo and the labels of its main wine portfolio, and the debut of two Fernão Pires single varieties, Quinta da Lagoalva marked yet another novelty: a range created exclusively for hyper and supermarkets from north to south of the country and islands – a white, a rosé, a red and a Sauvignon Blanc.
In Portugal, the vast majority of consumers consume wines that are more direct and easy to understand. The factors availability of access (good presence in the market) and price are still very important in the purchase decision. This means that Lagoalva is committed to having an increasingly significant representation in large areas. In 2022, sales at Quinta da Lagoalva increased by 14%, which was due, in part, to the partnership established with José Maria da Fonseca Distribuição, which saw in this channel the opportunity for sustained growth and increased awareness of its wines from Quinta da Lagoalva. In addition to a trio that satisfies the different categories – white, rosé and red (the three with a retail price of €5.49) –, the presence of a Sauvignon Blanc varietal (€6.99) was important. , a variety much sought after by national and international oenophiles. Added to this is the fact that it is one of the most present varieties in the wine heritage of Quinta da Lagoalva, which has perfected its vinification over the years.
With a very appealing image in terms of design and the presence of color, ideal to stand out in the wine lineup of the channel for which it is intended, it maintains the authorship of OM Design and escapes the more conservative and classic side printed on the backbone of the Quinta da Lagoalva wine line. In terms of colour, ochre yellow, indigo blue and dark green stand out, in a triad of colors and objects that jump out from the façades of the houses of the Marquesa de Tancos stud farm and support farm work at Quinta da Lagoalva.
As far as whites are concerned, there is a blend with a predominance of Fernão Pires, to which are added the Arinto and Sauvignon Blanc varieties, in a profile of freshness and elegance; and a 100% Sauvignon Blanc, with strong evidence of the variety, highlighting vegetable and tropical fruit notes combined with good acidity and freshness typical of the Tagus Wines region. Also from 2022, the rosé results from a good marriage between Touriga Nacional and Syrah. With a beautiful pale pink color, it is very aromatic and, in the mouth, it is balanced, easy and fresh, ideal for this time of year. The red, from 2021, is the result of an alliance between two flagship varieties, Touriga Nacional, representing Portugal, and Castelão, the Tagus. An elegant and balanced red, with the presence of floral notes on the nose and red fruit in the mouth, in a round and easy to interact wine.
In common, these wines have the ease of being drunk solo, but the power of fitting to the table.
Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019 is the best Dão wine
05/08/2023Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019, which is part of the portfolio of 19I90 Premium Wines, won the ‘Best Wine in Contest’ award, awarded by the jury of the Contest Best Wines of Dão 2023, promoted by the Regional Wine Commission of Dão ( CVR Dao). The jury, made up of winemakers, sommeliers and critics, chose Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019 among 170 wines from a total of 37 producers, having also awarded this wine the ‘Platinum Medal’.
It should be remembered that, in 2022, the 2017 harvest of this wine was chosen as ‘Best Wine of Portugal’, in the Wines of Portugal Contest, organized by ViniPortugal. The Best Dão Wines 2023 Contest also distinguished four other wines from 19I90 Premium Wines with a Gold Medal: Casa de Santar Oito Parcelas, Casa de Santar Curtimenta, Casa de Santar Autumn and Casa de Santar Rosé.
According to Osvaldo Amado, enology director of the Global Wines group, «Encruzado is one of the best white grapes in Portugal and, probably, one of the best in the world, which has given us so much joy. Seeing another one of our Encruzado wines distinguished is a huge honor and motivates us to continue the work we have been developing, in the sense of creating unique wines, which stand out among the best in the world».
Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019 has an intense citrus color, with abundant greenish tones, has a distinct and complex aroma, with nuances of jelly from white-fleshed fruits. It is a fresh, elegant, harmonious wine with a long persistence, perfect for accompanying delicacies based on fish and meat in structured cooking from Mediterranean cuisine, or more exotic dishes from Chinese, Indian and African cuisine.
It is a single varietal of the Encruzado variety planted in a vineyard with a history of centuries and which constitutes one of the most extraordinary landscapes of Dão – the Vinha dos Amores. The place where this vineyard is located was once called Alto dos Amores and was the meeting point for couples in love in Vila de Santar. If, in times, the magic of this landscape served to win hearts, today, the grapes that grow there serve to win over the most demanding taste of wine lovers.
The suggested RRP for this wine is €30 and can be found in the best Portuguese wineries and restaurants, as well as in the 19I90 Premium Wines online store, at 1990.wine, and in the group’s wine tourism facilities.
Harvest Program in Cartuxa
04/08/20232 km from the historic center of Évora and 200 meters from the Monastery that inspired its name, is Adega Cartuxa. This secular building, surrounded by vineyards, was the rest home of the Jesuits (Companhia de Jesus), who taught at the University of Évora in the 16th and 17th centuries. With his expulsion, in 1759, by order of the Marquis of Pombal, the property came to belong to the State. Later, in 1776, it became an important wine press that absorbed the production of the region and, in the 19th century, it was acquired by the Eugénio de Almeida family, undergoing renovations and expansions over time, which always respected the richness of its architecture.
In addition to the visit and wine tasting in this historic building, Cartuxa has prepared, for the first time, a special program of harvests at Quinta de Valbom. Thus, the visitor will get to know closely the production process in its most ancient form, learn about the choice of grapes and participate in the foot treading for the elaboration of Talha Cartuxa wines. At the end of the experience, you will have a tasting of 6 wines, accompanied by our regional snacks.
Included in the program is the offer of a vintage kit, consisting of: polo shirt, hat, shorts, slippers and subsequent delivery of a bottle of vintage wine from the harvest in which you participated. It is an initiative limited to available places and will be available for a short period of time. Price: € 300.00 p/person
NOTE: The choice of the type of tasting/wine is made by time and not by person.
Cartuxa can add side dishes to any type of tasting, which consist of sausages, cheeses, regional jams, among others, for an additional €7.50 (minimum of 2 pax). The sale of Pêra-Manca red wine is exclusive to those who take the guided tour of Enoturismo Cartuxa, limited to 1 bottle per visitor, subject to the availability of this reference
Music and Wine at the Interactive Museum House in Borba
03/08/2023The Casa Museu Interativa de Borba opens its cellar doors again and invites visitors to join in for a Wine Sunset on the patio. On the 23rd of September, from 18:30h, the music will be in charge of Victor Norways, with many wines and snacks to complement.
At a time when interest in wine is growing, this space expands visitors’ knowledge through its museum. There we get to know objects that were used for wine production, as well as iterative devices that portray the history of Vinho em Talha and the Rézio Family, owner of the space.
The production of wine in carvings is ancestral, dating back to Roman times, something that the Alentejo has never lost. Along the route in this museum, younger people also have access to interactive games that, in a playful way, expand their knowledge about this tradition. At the end of the visit there is a courtyard, where musical moments of conviviality are usually organized among wine lovers, where everyone can enjoy the typical flavors and aromas of the region.
According to the owners, the house dating from the 19th century came into the hands of the grandfather in 1936 and, since then, the house has remained in the family, being the scene of very happy family moments. On the ground floor, the cellar has 46 original clay pots, the courtyard, an old stable, well and on the upper floor the housing part. In the past, wine, vinegar and brandy were made here, and production continued until 1957, when Adega Cooperativa de Borba started operating. «This is a house with a past, but to which the Rézio Family wanted to give a future, a future with history that only gains the dimension it deserves when and if shared with everyone!» say the current owners.
To visit the Casa Museu or participate in the next musical event, just contact in advance by calling + 351 925 076 864 or by email: geral@emrezio.pt
Vinhos do Tejo launch a collective project to leverage the Fernão Pires grape variety
02/08/2023In June, the Fernão Pires Caste Day (June 20) was instituted and celebrated, an initiative of the Regional Wine Commission for Tejo Wines (CVR Tejo), with the support of Almeirim City Council, which thus gave another step in the promotion of this variety. In addition to a series of initiatives, such as open-door wine cellars, free tastings and a didactic tasting, the entity chose this event to officially present, in Portugal, the project of union and collective effort Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires and its wines, being currently a trilogy.
As the name shows, Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires is a cluster of white wines made from grapes from Fernão Pires, mostly from the Campo terroir – in the region there are also Bairro and Charneca. The Campo covers the vineyard areas located along the two banks of the Tagus River, in an extension of more than 80 kilometers, in the geographical area of Ribatejo. These grapes benefit from a microclimate, with misty mornings, hot days and cool, humid nights, which gives the wines freshness, acidity and great liveliness. Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires represents a specific profile of whites made with this variety: light, fresh and with little alcohol (up to 12%), ideal for relaxing, day-to-day consumption, alone or with food . Vibrant whites, highlighting the freshness that characterizes Tagus wines.
With a common style and backbone, each producer is free to give his stamp, creating wines that are different from each other. This comes not only from the specific location of the vineyards, but also from their age, the harvest date and the winemaking processes adopted by each one. In this launch phase, there are three participating producers: Batista’s by Pitada Verde, Quinta do Casal Monteiro and Quinta da Lagoalva.
Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires wines are accessible in terms of price (RPP), which can vary between €4.00 and €5.50. The main focus is on export markets, however, in Portugal they will be available through the channels of each producer, and it is also possible to purchase them at the Rota dos Vinhos do Tejo store: physical, in Almeirim, and online, at www .rotadosvinhosdotejo.pt.
Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires is a trademark registered by CVR Tejo, for a project that began to be thought of in 2020 – with the pandemic, first, and the war in Ukraine, then, eventually delaying its execution, creating up to some obstacles. Its objective is to add value to the vineyards and grapes of Fernão Pires – which represent 35% of the total vines in the region –; give all its Economic Agents the opportunity to produce (more) wines with the main grape variety of the Tagus Wines region; and to value the territory and its local economy, through the production of wines with a certification of origin.
Fernão Pires is the most planted white variety in Portugal, with greater expression in the Tagus Wines region, with an area of 4,500, out of a total of 13,000 hectares of vineyards. It should be noted that the versatility of this variety allows Tagus producers to create wines of very different styles: from sparkling wines to still wines, with or without wood, but also late harvests, muffled wines and even brandies. This plasticity and the promotion work carried out by CVR Tejo have generated a very interesting dynamic with regard to the “birth” of novelties, and the numbers speak for themselves: there are currently around 60 single varieties of Fernão Pires do Tejo, 50 % of which premiered since 2020, the vast majority of harvests after 2018.
The graphic identity and assumptions of a bottle of Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires
The graphic identity of Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires comprises not just one, but three distinct labels, which, together, reveal and enhance the layout of the Tagus River. The Tagus is the essence of this region, appearing as a link and an anchor for those who live there. It was not by chance that, in wine terms, the name changed from Ribatejo (still called that, in terms of the territory) to Tejo. Thus, the Tagus River assumes preponderance in this identity, translated into “liquid gold” that winds through the agricultural fields that shape the landscape in a unique way, creating a very characteristic puzzle, revealing the abundance and richness of the region.
On each label, emphasis is given to the brand and product category, with the producer’s name appearing at the base of the image, as a signature and endorsement. Also note the fact that this is a project with sustainability assumptions: there is a single bottle for all wines, white glass and very light, and the labels are produced with a specific paper, made with 65% recycled fibre.
After a competition launched by CVR Tejo for the creation of the label, the winning idea came from a group of master’s students in design, from the University of Aveiro, having been the target of some refinements by the duo of design companies Amphora and Brand 75, partners of Tagus Wines, in England and Portugal.
Ravasqueira launches a new experience dedicated to biodiversity
02/08/2023The new ecotourism experience promoted by Ravasqueira is part of a strategy to diversify wine tourism proposals and aims to make wine lovers and the general public aware of the enormous biodiversity of that Alentejo ecosystem and how it impacts and is positively related to the viticultural activity of the property.
For Gonçalo Ribeirinho dos Santos, Ravasqueira’s marketing director, «at a time when we are expanding our wine tourism offer, we see this commitment to nature tourism as crucial. The more than 3,000 hectares of Ravasqueira preserve a unique and absolutely fascinating biodiversity, to which we also owe the quality and excellence of our wines. It will be a journey through the vineyards, guided by the vast knowledge of the biologist Mário Carmo, who, over the last year, has been carrying out a thorough and rigorous survey of the local fauna and flora. An opportunity to discover Ravasqueira from another point of view and an ideal proposal for the whole family».
This bet intends to guarantee a different and familiar offer in Ravasqueira. Limited to 25 people (being held with a minimum of 10) per session, the experience takes place every month, on Saturday morning. The first visit is already scheduled for the 27th of May, and is available for booking on the Ravasqueira website, at http://www.ravasqueira.com. With a cost of 25 euros per participant, this experience takes us on a journey between hills and vineyards, highlighting how biodiversity shapes the excellent Alentejo wines produced on the property. Each visit will be different, following the cycle of nature and the vineyards, ending with a wine tasting from Ravasqueira.
Ravasqueira is renewing its wine tourism offer, investing in new programmes, visits, tastings, courses, workshops and other experiences that promote Alentejo culture and tradition in harmony with a rich and diverse ecosystem that allows the production of great wines. We invite you to come and discover the 3,000 hectares of Ravasqueira, through the animals, plants, wines, flavors and people who tell its long history.
A visit to Churchill’s cellars
28/07/2023With a privileged view over the Douro, Churchill’s cellars, in Vila Nova de Gaia, are a mandatory stop for anyone who is passionate about wine. At the visitor center, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the wine aging process with the team of ‘wine educators’, or even enjoy an exclusive and personalized tasting with one of its enologists.
A visit to Churchill’s cellars includes the Sala dos Tonelis, the Tawny Warehouse and the Vintage Cellar. Visitors are guided through the 40-year history of ‘Churchill’s’ house and the family that founded it, getting to know the world of Port wine through the aging process – from the large barrels of Reserve and LBV, to the cellar where Port wines are Vintage Port rests and ages in the bottle, right up to the large barrel warehouse where the house Tawny wines and their iconic dry white Port wine are aged.
The tasting experiences are divided between Port and Douro wines. To discover the brand’s Port wines, visitors can opt for: Classic Tasting; Try Ruby; Wood-Aged Proof; Gricha Terroir Vintage Port tasting (winemaker’s selection); and Churchill’s Vintage Port Tasting (winemaker’s selection). For Douro wines, the Classic Tasting is available; Classic tasting with native grapes and Gricha Terroir tasting.
In both experiences, it is possible to order a selection of cheeses to go with it, or even opt for the Tasting of the Day, designed and selected by the Churchill’s team for visitors who want to be surprised. Tastings vary between €15 and €45 per person.
After the tasting, visitors can take home the references they liked the most through a visit to Churchill’s cellar. The real challenge is choosing: from Ruby Ports to wood-aged Ports – with emphasis on the 30 and 40 year old Tawny Ports, included among the ‘Best of the Year’ by Revista de Vinhos –, there are several options in the brand’s universe. To break the tie, there is also a Churchill’s Port Experience Pack with a tasting of the three Port wine styles – ruby, tawny and white.
In addition to the cellars, visitors can, from Friday to Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm, enjoy the rest of the day at the 1982 Bar and in Churchill’s garden, while savoring a glass of wine with the unforgettable scenery of Porto, the Douro River , and the mural by visual artist and illustrator Kruella D’Enfer who brought an explosion of color to the space in 2021, in a unique artistic intervention.
Visits and tastings can be made from Monday to Sunday, always from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last visit to the cellars scheduled for 5 pm. And the garden is open from Friday to Sunday, from 2 pm to 7 pm, from May 5th.
Churchill’s also offers the possibility for visitors to book an exclusive visit with the presence of winemakers. or by phone. For more information, see Churchill’s website https://www.drinkchurchills.com/en/