Casa Relvas receives licenses for the reuse of wastewater treated in vineyard irrigation 

Casa Relvas received the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Pires, at the winery, as part of the ‘Pilot project for the reuse of wastewater treated in the irrigation of vineyards’, launched in 2019 with Águas de Portugal, and which has now completed its licensing process. The licenses, issued by the ARH (Administration of the Hydrographic Region) were thus handed over to António Relvas, who will accompany the delegation. 

He was in charge of a brief presentation of the company, and Nuno Franco – director of viticulture and oenology – presented data on water consumption in the vineyard, more specifically on irrigation efficiency (probes, PHB, Ceres; NDV, levels of production/segmentation of the vineyards, etc); and consumption in the cellar, and measures to reduce water consumption (PIGS, reuse of water for cooling laboratory equipment, floor washing, reduction of hose diameters, reduction of pressure in lifting pumps, and training for teams. 

«With the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Alentejo, and adding climate change, water is increasingly an essential and scarce commodity for quality agricultural production. Casa Relvas, in this context, and in the circular economy, started a project in 2019 with Águas de Portugal, in order to close the cycle, that is, to reuse the effluent produced in its winery, as well as the effluent from São Miguel de Machede, in the irrigation of its vineyards. Despite all the efforts to save water in the winery and to achieve precision viticulture, this contribution is crucial for good water management in vine cultivation, thus enabling excellent quality grapes to be obtained», reveals Nuno Franco. 

«That is why these licenses are so important, as they allow us to complete the project, starting to receive 80m3 daily in our dam, which will come to us directly from the WWTP of São Miguel de Machede». 

Traveling on the historic Douro train 

The Douro Historic Train runs on the rails again, between July and October. Traveling on the Douro Historic Train is like taking a trip back in time. On a route along the Douro River, the steam locomotive and the 5 historic carriages travel the distance from Régua to Tua, in a unique journey into the past, marked by the beauty of the landscape classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. 

 See here the Journey in the Douro and On board the Douro Historic Train – in the blog Viajar entre Viagens and also on YouTube CP some previous trips of our More information Douro Historic Train: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/ en/how-to-travel/in-leisure/culture-nature/historic-train 

Cockburn’s honors coopers with urban art in downtown Porto  

They act ‘in the shadow’ but are unavoidable figures in the Port wine universe, repairing the casks, vats and barrels where it ages. The coopers, skillful and resistant, keep alive an art that is crucial for the production of quality Port Wines, using ancestral tools and very little modern machinery. To pay homage to this profession, forgotten by many and even unknown by most of the population, Cockburn’s teamed up with the Ruído project to develop a mural next to Garrafeira do Carmo, in downtown Porto. 

With a permanent team of seven coopers, of different ages, Cockburn’s is the only Port wine house with a cooper in its cellars. The brand also houses the largest Port wine aging warehouse in the historic area of Vila Nova de Gaia, holding 6,518 barrels of aging Port wine, in addition to the equivalent of 10,056 barrels in vats, which allow for the traditional aging in casks to be maintained. of vinaigrette oak. 

Respecting traditions, but doing justice to the art of being different – a characteristic that is part of the brand’s DNA –, Cockburn’s has been approaching a more urban public, establishing a bridge between Port wine and graffiti. In this context, the brand promotes, since 2020, the Street Art Competition, involving 10 artists who have the opportunity to develop a mural at Cockburn’s facilities, in Vila Nova de Gaia, inspired by Port wine, the Douro, or the twin cities of Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto. This year, the competition is scheduled for the 30th of September, involving the entire community, which is invited to follow the development of the murals of the artists participating in the event, with an after party. 

With this partnership with the Ruído project, which results in a new mural, this time in the heart of the city of Porto, Cockburn’s once again reinforces its connection to urban art, seeking – while valuing national talent (in this case from Porto) – to underline traditions associated with the production of Port wine. For this new project, the artists Draw (Frederico Soares Campos) and Contra (Rodrigo Guinea Gonçalves) were inspired by the team of coopers at Cockburn’s, even printing the image of some of them on the walls of Garrafeira do Carmo, complementing the mural with other elements associated with the brand. The mural, located on Travessa do Carmo, covers the entire side of Garrafeira – measuring more than 200m2 – and took seven days to develop. 

Alentejo Wine Route challenges you to discover the world of sparkling wines 

The Alentejo Wine Route (Rua 5 de Outubro, nº 88, 7000-854, Évora) has just opened enrollment for a course specializing in sparkling wines. The initiative, which reveals everything about this style of wine, will take place on the 22nd of July, between 2 pm and 6 pm, and all drink lovers and curious people are invited to dive into a tasting of seven Alentejo sparkling wines. 

 In the four hours in which the course organized by the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA) takes place, winemaker Patrícia Peixoto will share everything about the world of sparkling wines: from the history and statistical data on world production and consumption to production processes and characteristics of the main Portuguese varieties of this drink. Registration is open until the 21st of July and can be made via rota@vinhosdoalentejo.pt. The course costs 25 euros per person and, in addition to the various tests, includes a certificate of participation. 

The Alentejo Regional Winegrowing 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. Assuming high standards of rigor, transparency and impartiality, CVRA is a certification body accredited by ISO/IEC 17065:2014, with its physical-chemical and sensory analysis laboratories accredited by ISO/IEC 17025:2018. It also has ISO 14001:2015 certification, due to CVRA’s strong commitment to the environment. 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. 

Best Tagus Wines Revealed

The big winners of the most recent Wines of the Tagus Contest were the Detail Reserva white 2021 – a debut launched this year by Adega do Cartaxo – and the Quinta de Santo André Reserva red 2019 – a classic from Coruche producer M. Veiga Teixeira. 

 Prioritizing the work of union and joint promotion of the region, carried out around the queen of the Tagus grape variety, the Regional Wine Commission of the Tagus Wines (CVR Tejo) decided, starting this year, to choose the best wines of Fernão Pires, under two seals : Best Fernão Pires in the Contest and Best Course in the Tagus Fernão Pires. The chosen whites are, like Detail, two premieres, both produced in Alpiarça by Quinta da Lagoalva: Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires 2021 (also Gold medal winner) and Campo do Tejo Fernão Pires by Quinta da Lagoalva 2022 , respectively. This producer also stood out with the Best White of the Harvest 2022, awarded to Lagoalva Reserva Arinto & Chardonnay (also Grand Gold medal winner), with the Best Rosé of this vintage being Quinta do Casal Monteiro (also Gold medal winner) from the producer of the same name. Still with regard to the 13th edition of this competition, 220 wines were tasted by 39 judges – these being the highest numbers ever – and the two aforementioned medals of Excellence were awarded, 9 Grand Gold, 36 Gold and 24 Silver. . 

 People and other companies also received awards: David Ferreira, from Companhia das Lezírias, was Winemaker of the Year. The Career Prize was awarded to Teresa Schönborn, from Casa Cadaval, and José Lobo de Vasconcelos, from Casal Branco. Adega do Cartaxo was elected as a Company of Excellence and Fiuza Wines as a Company of Dynamism. 

 Promoted by the Rota dos Vinhos do Tejo, with the aim of rewarding dynamism with regard to the territory – apart from wine and gastronomy, with its own prizes – there is, more recently, the Tejo Anima competition. In this year’s edition, there were nominees in three categories, having been distinguished: Casa Brava, in Santarém, as Accommodation; SóRio, in Valada, Cartaxo, in terms of Tourist Entertainment; and the Festa dos Tabuleiros, in Tomar, as a grandiose and highly regarded event promoting the region’s Traditions. 

 It was also time to reward those who stood out the most in the 2nd Wines of the Tagus Photography Contest, which this year received 32 entries. The first three prizes were awarded, in that order, to journalist and instagrammer Kitato, Luís Miguel Machado and Carlos Venceslau, curiously from Esposende, Leiria and Batalha. 

 The Tagus Wines Gala is an event organized by the Tejo Regional Wine Commission, in partnership with the Confraria Enófila de Nossa Senhora do Tejo, which is in charge of its production, and in this edition, it had the sponsorship and support of entities such as CA Seguros, Verallia, Amorim Cork, Agroeno, Borrego – Leonor & Irmão, OPAL, Travel Care, Gifts4Wine, Martin Vialatte, AZ3 Oeno, Cork Supply and SAI Oenological Sensitivity. 

Photography: Gonçalo Villaverde 

La Vie en Rose: Mind The Glass dedicates a fortnight to rosé wines 

To celebrate summer, Mind The Glass will dedicate the fortnight between July 3rd and 15th to rosé wines. For this, the sommelier João Lourenço designed a special menu dedicated to this style of wine, which includes still wines, sparkling wines and champagnes from current and old vintages, also in large format – magnum bottles. Consult the Special Letter of Rosés here: https://menus.mindtheglass.pt/ 

 Mind The Glass is a Wine / Bistrot / Shop / Bar, which opened in February 2022, in the center of Porto, with a distinct and multidisciplinary concept guided by Chef consultant Henrique Ferreira (Resident Chef of the 19|90 Premium Wines restaurants) , which includes a wine cellar and a bar – Wine & Cocktail Bar. A modern, relaxed and comfortable space, where the most demanding appreciators 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. An unmissable place to visit for Urban Wine Tourism. 

Launched white and rosé by Lavradores de Feitoria 

 From the Douro to the national and international market, Lavradores de Feitoria has already launched the 2022 harvest of its white and rosé with the same name. A duo of light, fruity, fresh wines, ideal for drinking in relaxed moments, solo or with uncomplicated dishes, easy and quick to prepare. A range that also includes the red Lavradores de Feitoria, now from 2021, and which strives to be accessible in hypermarkets, wineries and restaurants from north to south and islands. Wines that are available in 750ml bottles (€5.99) and, in the case of white and red, in 2 liter packages (€9.99), designed, in an initial phase, to respond to the strategy of the Nordic markets, but which increasingly capture the attention of Portuguese oenophiles, from a perspective of sustainability and loyalty to the brand. Wines that can be easily found in several shopping areas but also in the Enotourism shop of Lavradores de Feitoria. 

 In the Enotourism space of Lavradores de Feitoria, personalized visits are privileged, made by a local host, Eduardo Ferreira, who has a deep knowledge of what the Douro is and the métier of receiving and telling stories, from the vineyard to the wine. Located in Quinta do Medronheiro, on Estrada Nacional 323, n.º 10, in Sabrosa, the headquarters, cellar and wine shop of Lavradores de Feitoria is open from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm. The wine tourism offer is organized with a visit, tastings or a binomial visit and wine tasting. Regular visits take place from Monday to Friday, at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. In the case of a private visit, the time can be scheduled according to needs, but only by reservation. 

Cheese and wine: the perfect combination to celebrate summer at Adega José de Sousa

Located in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Adega José Sousa welcomes summer with a special programme, which invites you to visit the cellar and try some of the best wines from the producer paired with national cheeses, during the month of July.

From the 1st to the 31st of July you can visit Adega José Sousa, a property full of prestige and history, which has two wineries with very different styles, where tradition and modernity combine perfectly. At Adega dos Potes, where there are 114 clay pots, the ancestral and ancient fermentation method is evident in the production of wines, while at Adega Moderna, which has 44 stainless steel tanks, the technology implemented in production is essential to achieve the excellence.

At the end of the guided tour, you can enjoy a tasting of three white wines paired with three cheeses: fresh cheese, cured goat cheese and butter cheese.

Programme: Adega José de Sousa, Reguengos de Monsaraz – July 1st to 31st – Price per adult: €22.50 (minimum 2 people); The entrance price includes a visit to the cellar, tasting of 3 white wines and 3 cheeses. Book at least 72 hours in advance through the contacts:

josedesousa@jmfonseca.pt | +351 918 269 569

Adega José de Sousa has existed since 1878 and was acquired by José Maria da Fonseca in 1986, in order to fulfill the old dream of producing wine in the Alentejo, in a property full of prestige and history. Located in Reguengos de Monsaraz, this is where a tradition started by the Romans over 2000 years ago is kept alive. Adega José de Sousa has 114 clay pots, where an ancient and extremely rare fermentation method is carried out. In addition to the traditional cellar, below ground level, with the hoists and two presses for treading, it also has a modern cellar, with 44 stainless steel vats and with all the essential technology for the vinification of reds, whites and rosés. At Adega José de Sousa, some of the ancestral winemaking techniques are still used, the most emblematic being the use of carving in the fermentation of the grapes. The essentials of carving winemaking have changed little in over two thousand years. In this process, the grapes previously crushed by foot are destemmed on the traditional ripanço table. Afterwards, the grape must, the skins and some part of the stem are placed inside clay pots, where fermentation occurs spontaneously. The use of jars gives spices and a third dimension to the wine. Subsequently, in the case of wine, the white wine is removed and placed in a new vase and the red is removed from the vase and ages partly in brown barrels and partly in vases. It is an artisanal and natural process, as much as the wine that results from it. Adega José de Sousa’s portfolio includes the following wines: Montado – white, red and rosé; Ripanço; Monte da Ribeira – white and red; José de Sousa, José de Sousa Reserva, José de Sousa Mayor; J by José de Sousa; Puro Talha – white and red. Adega José de Sousa also has an Enotourism unit, which is open for guided tours, wine tasting, wines and snacks and even has the possibility of receiving groups to visit.

Tomorrow is the white party, in Condeixa

The first edition of Festa Branca Condeixa – Wine Party will take place next Saturday, July 1st, from 6 pm to 11 pm. The host space is the Conímbriga Hotel do Paço, owner of a beautiful garden, with a fantastic swimming pool and space for events, in Condeixa-a-Nova, very close to Coimbra. 

Celebrating summer also has the color white as its motto, a symbol of life, purity, freshness and new beginnings. Everyone is invited to wear at least one piece of white clothing to get into the party spirit. A glamorous environment that will be filled with sensory experiences, starting with the extended tasting of more than 100 fantastic wines and sparkling wines, craft beers and wine cocktails, to which will be added a lot of music and animation. To harmonize perfectly with the tastings, the Gavius Restaurant kitchen prepared a tempting menu: Duck Rice, Vegetable Lasagna, Cod with Cream (for €12.5) and assorted Finger Food or Caldo Verde (5€). 

Contemplating the garden of the Conímbriga Hotel do Paço and the surrounding landscape, guests will be gathered in the garden, in the events room and on the rooftop, which will be the stage for the party itself. In parallel, special tastings will be held, presented by enologists and master brewers, with free admission, but subject to the number of places available. A unique opportunity to learn more about these secular and passionate drinks. 

The Festa Branca Condeixa – Wine Party is part of the summer events calendar of the magazine Paixão Pelo Vinho and has the support of the ADFP Foundation, the Municipality of Condeixa, the Conímbriga Hotel do Paço, Purple Media and the magazine Paixão Pela Cerveja. 

Tickets are on sale at Fnac and Worten stores, at the usual ticket outlets for shows and online at ticketline.sapo.pt. 

New harvests launched by Dona Vitória, from Ravasqueira

Three of the recent harvests of Dona Vitória wines have reached the markets, a brand that combines the best Alentejo grape varieties in a timeless style of wine with an international profile. 

 The Dona Vitória Coleção Privada Branco 2022 (RPPR €9.99) features a blend of grape varieties that combines the traditional Alentejo Antão Vaz with Arinto and Alvarinho. A perfect balance between acidity, structure and unctuousness which, combined with the three-month aging in barrels, allows the creation of a white with a wide range of tasting, perfect to start a late afternoon in good company and then continue around the table, with snacks. assorted. 

 Dona Vitória’s references to Grande Escolha Branco e Red 2022 (RRP €14.99) are wines made to please the tastes of connoisseurs and oenophiles, ideal for taking home with friends. The white combines Antão Vaz, Arinto and Viognier, with a six-month aging in French oak barrels. The red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonez and Alicante Bouschet, is a wine that ages in barrels for eight months, showing notes of spices, an opaque color and a taste in the mouth that all lovers of meat and traditional dishes fall in love with. portuguese. 

 The quality of the three references has been recognized all over the world. The white wine Dona Vitória Private Collection 2022 won the gold medal of the China Wine & Spirits contest for the best price-quality ratio category among thousands of participants. The white Dona Vitória Grande Escolha 2022 received the gold medal at the Challenge Internacional du Vin, in France, while the red Vitória Grande Escolha 2022 won two gold medals at the same events: Challenge Internacional du Vin and China Wine & Spirits. 

 One last curiosity that characterizes the entire Dona Vitória range. The carriage that is used as a symbol of the brand and that can be seen on the label is available for visits at the Ravasqueira wine tourism, and is on display at the Driving Museum. One more reason to visit Arraiolos!