Symington launches 2021 Graham’s PortoVintage The Stone Terraces
03/05/2023The Symington family has just announced the bottling of Graham’s The Stone Terraces Vintage Port of 2021. Born from two low-yield plots, with less than three hectares, spread over narrow terraced vineyards, on Graham’s main property, in the Douro, Quinta dos Malvedos , this Vintage Port is only produced in years when the vineyards produce wines of incomparable elegance and complexity. This is only the fifth time that Symington has decided to produce a Graham’s The Stone Terraces Vintage Port, joining the year 2021 with the previous editions of 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The Stone Terraces 2021 Vintage Port has lively and fresh aromas, with the unmistakable trace of tropical fruit – the hallmark of this wine –, also being characterized by being a concentrated wine, but at the same time supremely refined with polished tannins and acidity. tense, which draws exquisite elegance and balance. Only 4,800 bottles of 75cl and 280 “tappit Hen” bottles (triples of 225cl) will be bottled for marketing, which corresponds to just two percent of the total production of Quinta dos Malvedos, in 2021. The wine will also be launched en primeur, during the spring of this year.
With regard to the growth cycle and the 2021 harvest, these were among the freshest in recent years, guided by moderate conditions that favored slower and more gradual maturation, with good balance. It should be noted that the stone terraced vines are mostly planted with mature Touriga Nacional, but there are also some small, more recent plantings of Touriga Franca, Sousão and Alicante Bouschet. The grapes from these vineyards were harvested simultaneously and co-fermented (vinified together) in order to enhance the complexity, structure and freshness of The Stone Terraces 2021 Vintage Port.
When evaluating the best wines produced in 2021 at all the Symington family farms in the Douro, Charles Symington, production director, was truly impressed by the quality of the wines from the terraces of Quinta dos Malvedos. The family therefore took the rare decision to make a limited bottling of Graham’s The Stone Terraces Vintage Port. “My family has valued the hand-built stone walls of Quinta dos Malvedos for a long time, as they produce wines with an incredible and unique profile, which are clearly distinguished from the other wines produced there. After being abandoned following phylloxera, these terraces were meticulously rebuilt by hand at the end of the 19th century, designed to produce Port wines of exceptional concentration and power, using centuries-old viticulture techniques”, said Charles Symington.
The manager also explained that «while the Malvedos have an exposure mainly to the south, the terraced stone terraces are made up of two vineyards with cooler exposures: the first, designated ‘Port Arthur’ has two adjacent plots, with west and east exposures, while the second, known as Vinha dos Cardenhos, faces north. The shale walls of these terraces have the particularity of storing, throughout the day, solar heat, which is then slowly released during the night. This phenomenon favors the evolution of maturation in a gradual and more homogeneous way and this effect, in addition to the fresher exposures, explains the fascination of these vines that we work with and why they give rise to one of the best wines we produce in the Douro».
As these terraced vineyards consist of small plots of very restricted production, the quality is not always necessarily in line with the trend of classic Vintage years – as was the case in 2021. The family felt that the best expression of the year was in their main estates, deciding to bottle the following Quinta Vintage Ports: Cockburn’s Quinta dos Canais 2021 Vintage Port; Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim 2021 Vintage Port; Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira 2021 Vintage Port; Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos 2021 Vintage Port and Warre’s Quinta da Cavadinha 2021 Vintage Port.
After careful evaluation of these Quinta Vintage Ports, the family decided to launch, en primeur, a small quantity of Quinta do Bomfim 2021 Vintage Port in 2023. The remaining Vintage Ports will age in the family cellars for future release.
The family chose not to bottle Vintage from Quinta do Vesúvio, as the winery was closed for the 2021 harvest due to restrictions related to covid-19. It was the second year (following 2020), since the construction of the winery in 1827, that there was no stepping on the lagares. Staying true to tradition, the family decided not to bottle Vintag
Quinta de Camarate launches two singular and versatile whites
26/04/2023The white wines Quinta de Camarate Branco Doce and Branco Seco 2022 are already on the market. Produced by José Maria da Fonseca, at Quinta de Camarate, located next to Serra da Arrábida, these two wines come from clay-limestone soils and reflect the characteristics of the unique terroir of this property.
Quinta de Camarate Branco Doce 2022 reveals aromas of tropical fruits, is a sweet and velvety wine, with an excellent balance between sweetness and acidity, and results from the blend of Alvarinho (52%) and Loureiro (48%) grape varieties. This wine has a golden yellow color, a floral aroma that also combines some minerality. Its vinification is carried out in an open spout at 16ºC, and should be consumed while young at a temperature of 10/11ºC. It is ideal to be enjoyed as an aperitif or to accompany sushi and desserts, such as egg sweets.
Quinta de Camarate Branco Seco was born in 1986, and was originally produced using Moscatel de Setúbal, Riesling and Gewurztraminer grape varieties. In the 90s, there was a renewal of varieties in this wine, replacing these foreign varieties with two Portuguese varieties, Loureiro and Alvarinho. In 2007, there was a new change in the varieties used to prepare this wine, as Loureiro was replaced by Verdelho, with the aim of making it more complex and full-bodied. José Maria da Fonseca gradually reduced the use of Moscatel grapes in this wine, in order to give more preponderance to the other two varieties that make up Quinta de Camarate Branco Seco, with Moscatel eventually leaving the composition of the blend from the 2009 vintage. The 2022 vintage of Quinta de Camarate Branco Seco has 85% Alvarinho and 15% Verdelho, resulting in a fresh, mineral wine with a long aftertaste. Highlighting the light aroma of fresh and mineral lantana, green tea and mother silva. With a citrine color, it is a white wine that reflects the classic open spout winemaking process. It should also be consumed when young, at a temperature of 8º C, being the perfect accompaniment to fish or seafood dishes.
Property of the Soares Franco family for several generations, Quinta de Camarate is located in Azeitão and has a total area of 120ha, of which 39ha are dedicated to vineyards. The remaining area is used for grazing the sheep, which produce the famous Azeitão cheese, and which are featured on the Quinta do Camarate label. The ampelographic collection of José Maria da Fonseca is also planted on this property, which currently has more than 560 different grape varieties, from the four corners of the world.
Quinta da Corte launches new vintages
19/04/2023Quinta da Côrte has just presented four new vintages of wines – Côrte DOC Douro White 2022, Princesa Reserva DOC Douro Red 2021, Quinta da Côrte Grande Reserva, DOC Douro Red 2018 and a Port Wine, Quinta da Côrte LBV 2018 – and a new olive oil crop: Azeite Quinta da Côrte BIO, the first organic olive oil from Quinta da Côrte. These are the first novelties from the Douro region’s farm to be released in 2023, the year celebrating the 10th anniversary of Philippe Austruy’s property, which will bring many other surprises this special year
«Throughout this year, during which we will celebrate a decade of Quinta da Côrte’s history, we plan to present several novelties and very special products, with great quality. To inaugurate the launches that will be made in 2023 in the best way, we are now presenting four new harvests in March and even our first organic olive oil, a 2022 harvest that we believe is up to a year of celebrations», says Marta Casanova, general manager of Quinta da Côrte since the beginning of the project. «Presented in 2023, an extremely important year for our brand, these new vintages make our team very proud of the work it has been developing, always focused on innovation and, simultaneously, on Douro traditions», adds the person in charge.
With buttery and smoky notes, conferred by the wood, the Côrte DOC Douro Branco 2022 (20.25€) is very fresh and presents white fruit and floral aromas. In the mouth it is very lively and has a good acidity, being soft and persistent. To be enjoyed with codfish confit over mashed potatoes and sautéed turnip greens, for example, this 2022 wine – a very hot and dry year – was produced only with the Viosinho variety and underwent fermentation in 500-liter Austrian oak barrels and was aged in same barrels until bottling.
Alongside the Côrte DOC Douro Branco 2022, the producer has also just presented the Princesa Reserva DOC Douro Red 2021 (€25.70), vinified in stainless steel vats with temperature control, with prolonged maceration, and aging in 500 oz barrels. liters of French oak and in 3,000 liter Foudres until bottling. This red, composed of several grape varieties (25% Tinta Barroca, 10% Tinta Roriz, 20% Touriga Nacional, 30% Vinhas Velhas and 15% Touriga Franca), has a deep purple color and very fresh aromas of red fruits, such as blackberry and currant. black, and some spices, in harmony with floral notes. In the mouth, soft tannins and a lot of elegance, which goes perfectly with roast meat and hot flavors such as purées, potatoes, pumpkin.
Another novelty from Quinta do Douro is Quinta da Côrte Grande Reserva DOC Douro Red 2018 (58.85€), a wine with a dense garnet color, produced with the Touriga Franca (60%) and Touriga Nacional (40%) grape varieties. With vinification in stainless steel vats, with temperature control, prolonged maceration and aging in 500 liter French oak barrels until bottling, this is a great wine, a great reserve. In the nose it is very elegant, and presents aromas of black fruits – blackberry and blackcurrant – and chocolate, balsamic notes, being harmonious. In the mouth it is long and very elegant, and ideally harmonizes with warm and comfort dishes, such as lamb roasted in a wood oven with potatoes and vegetables.
The Port wine Quinta da Côrte LBV 2018 (29.05€) is the fourth novelty presented by the producer from Valença do Douro at the beginning of the year. Ideal for pairing with chocolate desserts, buttery cheeses, almonds or chestnuts, this new vintage was vinified in foot-treaded presses and aged in wooden barrels. The LBV 2018 is composed of a blend of grape varieties from the old vineyard plots of Quinta da Côrte and, with a dark colour, it is a fresh and fruity wine, with aromas of chocolate and subtle notes of licorice and spices. Full-bodied and with firm and well-integrated tannins, this Late Bottled Vintage demonstrates great balance and elegance, and can be enjoyed still young.
To round off the range of novelties, Quinta da Côrte also presents the Quinta da Côrte BIO Olive Oil (18.90€), from 2022, with a mixture of traditional Douro varieties – mature, verdeal, cobrançosa – well-adapted to the soil and Douro climate. This is the first harvest of organic olive oil at Quinta da Côrte, produced from centenary olive trees, located along the banks of the Torto River. The olives were harvested manually and the cold extraction process maintained the excellent organoleptic characteristics of the olive oil. On the nose, Quinta da Côrte BIO Olive Oil is complex, fruity and fresh and, on the palate, it is soft, very fruity and slightly spicy, making it ideal for seasoning all raw vegetables, fish and marinades. This new harvest of olive oil can also be used to make dishes and desserts.
To mark its 10th anniversary as a wine producer, Quinta da Côrte is developing several initiatives throughout the year, under the motto of the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire – all connected in some way to the world of wines, and to the universe of Quinta da Côrte. Alongside the initiatives, which aim to celebrate the history of this ancient Douro farm, which dates back to the mid-18th century, Quinta da Côrte also looks to the future, with a clear vision that there is still much to do, much Douro to give. , and that’s why it starts by presenting these novelties, and gathering friends, customers and family around a glass, and a bottle of Quinta da Côrte! These new, limited-edition vintages are on sale in wine cellars and specialty stores across the country.
National Winetourism Award will be held in Alentejo
14/04/2023The second edition of the APENO / Ageas Seguros National Wine Tourism Award (2023) will take place this year on the 26th of May, starting at 6.30 pm, at the Hotel Convento de São Paulo, Aldeia da Serra, in Redondo. The best companies dedicated to Enotourism will be voted by a jury composed of more than 250 personalities and official bodies linked to the Wine and Tourism sector.
APENO – Associação Portuguesa de Enoturismo, organizes for the second time the National Wine Tourism Award APENO / Ageas Seguros which, as the name implies, has the well-known insurance company as its Main Sponsor. The event also has the institutional support of Vinha e do Vinho, and the sponsorship of the Regional Tourism Entity of Alentejo, with other entities such as the Municipality of Redondo and CVR Alentejo, and renowned companies such as Grupo Amorim, Schott Zwiesel; Alug’Aqui, Gifts 4 Wine, Biosphere, Abreu Advogados and YonWine. EXAME magazine will be the Media Partner of the event.
APENO is the only association exclusively dedicated to Portuguese wine tourism and, since the first edition, the National Wine Tourism Award event has proved to be a success. «There are some wine tourism awards given by other entities in tourism or wine events, but none focused exclusively on wine tourism, giving it the importance it deserves. The panel of judges is very diverse, involving journalists, official wine and tourism entities, Chefs and Sommeliers, and even our associates», reveals Maria João de Almeida, President of APENO. «As last year the Best Wine Tourism in Portugal was Herdade da Malhadinha, we thought that the Alentejo would be the ideal setting to organize the second edition. Therefore, it was with great joy and in a natural way, that the Regional Tourism Entity of Alentejo joined us in organizing this great party that will have many novelties and surprises. It will be an event outside the box!”, adds Maria João de Almeida.
Ageas Seguros, which since the beginning has supported APENO in this adventure of organizing wine tourism, reveals how enriching it has been to work in a sector where there is still so much to do. «It has been a pleasure to get to know national wine tourism through APENO. A sector to which we want to contribute so that it grows safely. The prevention of companies is one of our big bets and wine tourism companies are no exception to the rule», says Gustavo Barreto, Member of the Executive Committee of the Ageas Portugal Group. For this to happen, Ageas Seguros has promoted the PAR (Risk Prevention and Analysis) service to APENO associates, with the aim of making Portuguese wine tourism more protected and safer places. As Gustavo Barreto explains, «PAR – Prevention and Risk Analysis is a free service that assesses the risks to which companies are exposed, as well as the possible consequences, acting in their prevention. This assessment includes the preparation of a report with preventive measures and recommendations to reduce the risks inherent in the companies’ activity», he concludes.
The Alentejo Regional Tourism Entity, which this year joins APENO in this event, has invested heavily in the promotion of its wine tourism, which has stood out in recent years, both nationally and internationally: «We can be proud of having some of the best national wine tourism in our territory. The awards achieved by the region in recent years are proof of this. We will continue to work and make a joint effort to make this reality increasingly solid and visible», says Vitor silva, President of the Alentejo Regional Entity.
Fourteen awarded categories
The APENO / Ageas Seguros 2023 National Wine Tourism Award will thus reward Portuguese businesses/projects that stand out as successful cases, within the following fourteen categories: Best Wine Tourism in Portugal; Best Professional; Best Stay; Best Restaurant; Best Chef; Best Sommelier; Best Tasting Room; Best Tourist Company; Best Inclusive Project; Best Sustainable Project; Best Store; Best Art and Culture; Best Innovation and Culture; Best Hospitality.
See categories and judges here: https://enoturismodeportugal.pt/premio-nacional-de-enoturismo-2023/
Voting is carried out online and will take place from the 1st to the 19th of May through an online platform, designed especially for this purpose, with each juror simply voting in each of the existing categories.
The panel of more than 250 judges includes renowned wine and tourism journalists, official wine and tourism organizations (Regional Wine Commissions and Regional Tourism Entities), chefs and sommeliers, and even APENO associates (Regional officials voted in different regions of their own, and sector professionals and associates in people and other projects): «In this type of event it is essential to involve recognized personalities from all sectors related to Wine Tourism because only those who are there and know the terrain are able to evaluate the existing offer. We believe in joint work, which is intended to be dynamic, exciting and transparent», reinforces the President of APENO, Maria João de Almeida. The nominees and winners will be announced during the event, in Alentejo.
It should be remembered that APENO was born in February 2021, with the aim of organizing and supporting the dynamization of Enotourism, a sector without an official definition, without legislation and without numbers; and which, since its constitution, has worked to alert the government to this need. Its already wide range of members includes some of the largest wine producing companies (which already represent more than 80% of national production), travel and tourist entertainment agencies, hotels and wine restaurants. As a non-profit business association, it has the support of several companies that, from the very beginning, believed in the existing potential.
Graham’s and Vinum cellars have new enogastronomic experiences
12/04/2023The Graham´s Cellars – Visitor Center of the Symington family – and the Vinum Restaurant – located in the heart of them – present new enogastronomic suggestions, which combine the guided tour and Port wine tasting with a meal in the restaurant. With these two new proposals, the spaces, which in the last decade have been sharing the same space and the unique view of the cities of Porto and Gaia, invite you to learn more about the Douro terroir, about Port wines and to taste the best of national cuisine.
The first suggestion of Graham’s Cellars and Vinum Restaurant starts with the reception for the guided tour. The moment allows you to get to know the Cellars, which were built in 1890 on an imposing peak in Vila Nova de Gaia, as well as the history of the Symington family and the production of Port wine. The visit culminates with a tasting of three Port wines in the Vintage Room: Graham’s LBV, Single Harvest 1997 and a Vintage Port from Quinta dos Malvedos.
Afterwards, the experience continues at Vinum, with a meal, which combines the best of national cuisine with a selection of premium wines from the Symington family, designed for pairing. In the restaurant, diners will be welcomed with a Port Tonic accompanied by amuse bouche, Quinta do Ataíde bread and olive oil, and even cod croquettes. The first dish highlights the premium cod loin with a green broth. The second course emphasizes a gastronomic icon of Vinum, the Vaca Velha entrecôte, which will be served with cauliflower purée, potato confit and vegetable chutney.
For dessert, Vinum proposes the fine apple afternoon with cream ice cream. The menu includes water and coffee, as well as pairings with premium Symington wines. The value of this experience is 110 euros per person.
Tasting of eight wines and a personalized dinner
Exclusively designed to take place in the late afternoon, ending with dinner at Vinum, the second experience begins at 5:30 pm, with a visit to Graham’s Cellars. After this moment, there is a tasting, which includes eight Port wines. Taking place in the Vintage Room at Graham’s Cellars, this tasting will introduce you to several Symington references, making a selection of Vintage Ports (Graham’s Vintage 2007, Quinta do Vesúvio 2003 Vintage, Dow’s 1994 Vintage, Warre’s 1980 Vintage) and old Tawny Ports from Graham’s.
For dinner, Vinum proposes a four-course menu, prepared by the restaurant’s chef and customized in order to create a unique and exclusive experience. The menu will be developed within the scope of the Vinum concept – cuisine from the North of Portugal –, aligning the gastronomic and wine preferences of customers with the best ingredients available in each season. The value of this experience is 270 euros per person.
The new enogastronomic experiences are available daily, prior reservation is required, at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations can be made by telephone (220 930 417) or by email (reservas@vinumatgrahams.com).
19|90 Premium Wines suggests wines to pair with the Easter lunch
06/04/202319|90 Premium Wines, the top-of-the-range wine division of the Global Wines group, suggests some of its most exclusive wines to pair with the Easter Sunday lunch. There are four wines with the signature of winemaker Osvaldo Amado. A sparkling wine, a white from tanning and a late harvest, from Dão, and a red wine from Alentejo: Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Blanc des Noirs Bruto 2016, Casa de Santar White from o Vinha de Saturno Tinto 2019.
«Easter traditions in Portugal are experienced with enthusiasm, among family and friends, and wine is an integral part of that culture and tradition. At the table, stories and smiles are shared and our best wines leave the cellars to be harmonized with the most exquisite delicacies. This Easter, we propose some of the most iconic wines from our vineyards in Santar, as well as a wine from our estate in Alto Alentejo, which will bring magic to the most sophisticated tables in Portugal», stresses Vítor Castanheira, CEO of 1990 Premium Wines.
19I90 Premium Wines is the division of the Global Wines group that is in charge of marketing and promoting the single estate wines produced in Portugal that are part of the group’s premium brands – Vinha do Contador, Casa de Santar, Encontro and Saturno. It is also responsible for managing wine tourism, which will be one of the biggest investment areas over the next five years, owning the Paço dos Cunhas Restaurant in Santar, the Quinta de Cabriz Restaurant in Carregal do Sal, and the Quinta do Encontro Restaurant , in Anadia.
19I90 Premium Wines has a rich and diversified portfolio, of well-defined wines, from both secular terroirs and more recent vineyards, to which the wisdom and experience of its viticulture and oenology teams continuously apply upgrades that give them a level and a exclusive quality.
Quinta do Pôpa with new vintages of Parcela Wines
21/03/2023Quinta do Pôpa – producer of Douro and Porto wines, located in Adorigo, in the municipality of Tabuaço, sub-region of Cima Corgo – has just launched the most recent vintages of three of its Parcela Wines. The novelties also involve a slight change in the design of the labels, in which the most obvious is the indication of the word Quinta in the name of the wines.
Looking at the portfolio of this Douro producer, recently reformulated, there are four ranges: Pôpa, Dare to Dream, Parcela Wines and Homage Wines. The PORTION WINES list comprises four references originating from the terroir of Quinta do Pôpa: all reds, namely Tinta Roriz (TR), Touriga Franca (TF), Touriga Nacional (TN) and Vinhas Velhas (VV). There are now new vintages from the last three: the field blend Quinta do Pôpa VV 2017 and the single varietals Quinta do Pôpa TN 2017 and Quinta do Pôpa TF 2018. The grapes that give rise to these wines, along with Tinta Roriz, come from selected vineyard plots, which give them even more “
authenticity with regard to origin. Each bottle reflects the terroir and wine year in question. Following the matrix defined by the Ferreira family, in partnership with the oenology team, for wines with the Pôpa brand, these have a fresh, elegant profile and great gastronomic aptitude.
In Parcela Wines, precision viticulture is practiced, taking care of the various needs of the vines and their fruits, in each stage of their development process. With the utmost respect for sustainability, the plots are taken care of in detail. They are very high quality wines, meticulously designed in the field, and with profiles determined by the year. They are, therefore, only launched in years in which the behavior of the parcel meets the expectations of the required profile and quality. Gastronomic and with storage potential, they are ideal to be celebrated at the table, with PÔ(m)PA and circumstance.
In a three-level commitment to sustainability, the wines with the seal of approval of Quinta do Pôpa are produced with grapes that grow in an integrated production mode, are of vegan origin and the company has the seal of Biosphere Committed Company.
Quinta do Pôpa VV red 2017
Single-plot Old Vines: 41°09’15.8″N 7°35’54.6″W
RRP: €29.90 • Alc.: 14% • Total Acidity: 5.7g/L • Volatile Acidity: 0.7g/L • pH: 3.43 • Total Sugars: < 2g/L
The first edition of this field blend dates from 2007, followed by the vintages of 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and, now, the Quinta do Pôpa VV red 2017. With northeast exposure and altitude between 80 and At 150 meters, this plot occupies 1.32 hectares and was planted in 1932. It has a respectable age of 9 decades and currently gives life to around 7,500 vine plants, with more than 21 different varieties. Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and sent, without being crushed, to the wine press, where they were trodden on foot. The alcoholic fermentation took place in the mill, and the malolactic one in stainless steel vats. The stage was partially made in French oak barrels, 225 liters: 65% new, for 7 months; and 20% used, for 10 months. The remaining 15% aged in stainless steel vats. This Vinhas Velhas presents a brilliant crystalline color with a deep red. On an aromatic level, we can notice a very spicy red, with hints of cocoa, chocolate and cinnamon. It is a wine with volume, full-bodied and velvety tannins. Its aftertaste is medium-long. 2669 750mL bottles and a hundred magnums were produced.
Quinta do Pôpa TN red 2017
Single plot Touriga Nacional: 41°9’18.360″N 7°36’2.160″W
RRP: €19.90 • Alc.:14.5% • Total Acidity: 4.7g/l • Volatile Acidity: 0.6g/l • pH: 3.61 • Total Sugars: < 2g/l
Quinta do Pôpa TN red also made its debut in 2007, followed by the 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and now 2017 harvests. Planted in 2003, on a plot of 1.71 hectares of schist soil and north exposure, at an altitude of 50 and 200 meters, on the slope of the Douro property. With the same vinification process as for Vinhas Velhas, 50% of the lot aged in used 225 liter French oak barrels for 14 months and the remaining 50% in stainless steel vats. It is a wine with a violet color and aromas of bergamot, ripe fruit and fresh jam. It has a good volume in the mouth, is elegant and precise, with a lot of freshness. It has a medium/long finish and goes well with game dishes. In this case, there are only standard bottles, in a total of 3972 units.
Quinta do Pôpa TF red 2018
Single plot Touriga Franca: 41°9’18.360″N 7°35’52.800″W
RRP: €19.90 • Alc.:13.5% • Total Acidity: 5.3g/L • Volatile Acidity: 0.6g/L • pH: 3.53 • Total Sugars: < 2g/L
Debuting in the 2016 harvest, Quinta do Pôpa TF red 2018 marks the second harvest of this wine, made with the most planted variety in the region, but still little explored on the ground. This Touriga Franca – or French Touriga – is planted on a 2-hectare plot, at an altitude of 120 meters and is around 25 years old. In its winemaking process, after receiving the grapes at the entrance to the cellar, in 20 kg boxes with destemming and without immediate crushing, the whole berries were received in a press where they were later crushed using the traditional way of treading on foot. The alcoholic fermentation took place entirely in a lagar and the malolactic fermentation in used 225 liter barrels. The stage took place between 12 and 15 months in French oak barrels, also used. This monovarietal presents itself as a young wine, with a very reddish and crystalline color. On the nose, the typical aromas of Touriga Franca stand out, such as spices and peppers, highlighting a mild white pepper. It is a red with a balanced aroma and quite elegant on the nose. It has a wide, fresh mouth with a long finish, where its silky and elegant tannins stand out. It is a wine that combines perfectly with proteins, such as steak or cheese from the mountains. This collection gave rise to 1791 units of 750mL and 100 of 1500mL.
These wines are distributed by the best national restaurants and wineries and can also be found in the wine tourism shop at Quinta do Pôpa.
1990 Premium Wines suggest wines for Father’s Day
17/03/20231990 Premium Wines, the top-of-the-range wine division of the Global Wines group, producer of the most luxurious wines in the Dão region, has exclusive gift proposals for Father’s Day, which is celebrated on the 19th of March. They are special gifts featuring some of their most emblematic wines, considered by critics to be among the best in Portugal.
Among the various proposals, highlight to the sets ‘The Best Sparkling Wine in Portugal for the Best Father in the World’ and ‘The Best Father in the World’, which represent a unique opportunity to introduce parents to some of the iconic brands of 1990 Premium Wines, with wines by winemaker Osvaldo Amado. The set ‘The Best Sparkling Wine in Portugal for the Best Father in the World’ consists of two bottles of sparkling wine – one of Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Touriga Nacional Blanc de Noirs and one of Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado Blanc de Blancs, the latter being elected ‘Best Sparkling Wine of the Year’ in 2021, at the Portuguese Wine Contest.
The ‘O Melhor Pai do Mundo’ set offers two of the best wines produced by 1990 Premium Wines at its Herdade Monte da Cal, in Alentejo, in a sublime and exclusive set of 1990 Premium Wines. It consists of a bottle of Vinha de Saturno Red and a bottle of Vinha de Saturno White, which represent the authenticity and freshness of Alentejo wines, in a distinctive craft package.
«Because special countries deserve special wines, we have prepared some proposals that include some of our best wines, including the sparkling wines produced in the famous Vinha dos Amores, in Santar, and two of the best wines from our vineyards in Alto Alentejo. In addition to honoring the parents, it is an opportunity to introduce them to some of the best national wines, from the various demarcated regions», emphasizes Vítor Castanheira, CEO of 1990 Premium Wines.
The ‘The Best Sparkling Wine in Portugal for the Best Dad in the World’ gift costs €45.00 and the ‘The Best Dad in the World’ gift costs €42.00, both of which are available at the 1990 Premium Wines online store, at https:/ /1990.wine/loja/, being limited to the available stock.
2 Suggestions from the Douro to toast on Father’s Day
16/03/2023Lavradores de Feitoria and Quinta do Pôpa, two Douro producers associated with APENO, launch their suggestions for Father’s Day.
To celebrate and toast your father on this very special day, the Douro wine producer Lavradores de Feitoria suggests a wine from the terroir range – Quinta da Costa das Aguaneiras red 2018. This is a wine where Touriga Nacional is embraced by Tinta Roriz, by Touriga Franca and a complex mixture of indigenous grape varieties, planted in Old Vineyards. Fermented in granite vats and aged in new French oak barrels for one year, it is a full and powerful wine. A tribute to typical Douro reds: full-bodied, with ripe fruit, complexity, structure and capacity for evolution. Already with the seal of quality from the world critics, translated into 90 Robert Parker points, the Quinta da Costa das Aguaneiras red 2018 has a vivid, intense and deep red color. On the nose, it is very fruity, intense and complex. There are aromas of ripe red fruit – such as blackberry, plum and light cassis – and notes of dried fruit and vanilla, resulting from aging in wood. On the palate, the first sensation is one of freshness, full of fruit and balance. With soft tannins, it has good acidity and an excellent structure, which provide a good fresh and long aftertaste. Promises longevity.
To celebrate and honor all parents, Quinta do Pôpa’s suggestion is its ex-libris ‘Pôpa Black Edition red 2018’. This is a wine, which, like its white counterpart, carries the soul of the Douro in a deeper and more authentic way, with the presence of Old Vineyards, expressing them in a lively and elegant style. Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (40%) and Vinhas Velhas (20%), exclusive to the terroir of Quinta do Pôpa, are the secret behind ‘Pôpa Black Edition red’, a typically Douro wine, in creation, but with an elegance and finesse, which gives it great pleasure at the table. Manual harvest into 20kg boxes, transported to the cellar, for stalk removal, followed by crushing in a press, with the traditional foot-treading process. Alcoholic fermentation begins in the mills and ends in stainless steel vats. Part of the blend underwent post-fermentation maceration, with malolactic fermentation taking place in stainless steel vats. Stage in French oak barrels for 12 to 15 months. With a deep ruby color, the ‘Pôpa Black Edition red 2018’ has a very intense aroma of ripe wild fruits, such as blackberries and black cherries. Its complexity, which tends to reveal itself throughout the tasting, comes from aging in barrels, which give it notes of spices and exotic woods. In the mouth, present acidity, with firm and mature tannins, well involved in its body and volume, transmitting a good sensation of freshness. Long finish, intense and with excellent persistence.
Alentejo wines launch consumer awareness campaign
14/03/2023«Since 2015 working to keep everything the same»: this is the motto of the campaign that the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (CVRA) launched at the beginning of March and which aims to awaken consumers to the urgency of changing the paradigm and to adopting sustainable behaviours, while at the same time making known the application, in the region, of the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program (PSVA), a pioneering initiative in the country and unique with regard to certification of sustainable production. Maintaining the region as we know it is the objective of the PSVA that emerged in 2015 and already has 632 members, who already represent 58% of the vineyard area of Alentejo.
In addition to the notorious environmental benefits that come with implementing a viticulture that respects natural resources, biodiversity and the rhythm of nature, the adoption of PSVA also results in significant economic advantages for producers and, consequently, for the economy of the whole the region. «We want consumers to feel that, by opting for a sustainable Alentejo wine, they are rewarding producers who are concerned with producing wine, respecting natural resources and contributing to improving the environment PRESS RELEASE 02.03.2023 | PAGE 2 OF 2 present and the future of the region: more environmental and economic resources and, consequently, better social conditions», emphasizes Francisco Mateus, president of the CVRA.
The campaign, which will be online on the main national digital platforms – from social networks to the press – has the signature of the Manhattan Project agency and aims to reach different generations that view sustainability with different degrees of importance, raising awareness of the end consumer for the consumption of wines produced in a sustainable way, a reality that is increasingly present in Alentejo wines.
ABOUT THE ALENTEJANA REGIONAL WINE COMMISSION: The Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA) was created in 1989 and is responsible for the protection and defense of the Alentejo DOC and the Alentejo Geographical Indication, certification and control of origin and quality, promotion and promotion of sustainability. Alentejo is the national leader in certified wines, with around 40% of the total value of sales in a universe of 14 wine regions in Portugal. With a vineyard area of 23.3 thousand hectares, 30% of its production is destined for export to five main destinations, namely Brazil, Switzerland, USA, United Kingdom and Poland. One of the only two regions in the world that has produced Talha Wine for more than two thousand years, the Alentejo still has a pioneering initiative, the “Sustainability Program for Wines of Alentejo”, which aims to improve the practices used in the vineyards. and wineries, producing quality and economically viable grapes and wine.