Ravasqueira launches summer wine
19/09/2022It’s called Ravasqueira Sauvignon Blance is a white wine made only with selected grapes, which combines the oenology of the new world with the elegance of traditional wines from the old world, showing concentration, balance and freshness. An ideal wine for this season, and perfect to accompany light dishes or to be enjoyed as an aperitif.
According to winemakers David Baverstock and Jorge Rosa Santos, the wine shows «notes of tropical fruit, cut grass, asparagus and lime and an intense nose showing all the expressiveness of the variety». With a recommended RRP of 6.20 Euros, it’s a safe bet for the table on these hot summer days. The expressiveness presented by the wine perfectly matches the snacks and light dishes typical of the season, such as salads, seafood and various snacks.
Ravasqueira has consistently obtained great distinctions in multiple national and international wine competitions. Ravasqueira today has more than 1000 medals in its wines in the last 20 years.
Quinta do Pôpa celebrates 90 years of Vinhas Velhas with two special packs
19/09/2022To celebrate its 90th anniversary, Quinta do Pôpa has launched two special packs: the ‘Vertical de Pôpa VV’ and the ‘Vinhas Velhas In All’, which are on sale exclusively for the Pôpa Friends Wine Club – to become a member, simply access the Quinta do Pôpa website (at www.quintadopopa.com), following the instructions, which are simple and entitle you to several advantages.
The ‘Vertical de Pôpa VV’ is a super exclusive pack in a very limited edition, composed of all the existing vintages since the creation of this wine from a selected plot, since its creation – precisely 15 years ago, from the 2007 harvest. for €275, wine connoisseurs have access to eight bottles, one each year – ‘Pôpa VV Vinhas Velhas red’ from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the latter being the vintage that is currently in market – and also a voucher that includes a visit to Quinta do Pôpa, especially the Old Vineyards, and a wine tasting for two people.
‘Vinhas Velhas In All’ is a more comprehensive and accessible offer, as it is composed of wines with different profiles, two reds, a sweet red – the only one from the Douro – and a Vintage Port wine, being from the crops that are now on the market. In common they have 90-year-old grapes from the Vinhas Velhas plot. There are four references and there is something for all tastes: ‘Pôpa Black Edition red 2018’ (in which Old Vineyards are combined with Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca), ‘Pôpa VV Vinhas Velhas red 2016’ (only Old Vineyards, as indicated by name), ‘Pôpa Vinho Doce red 2019’ (where the grapes from Vinhas Velhas are combined with another, younger, but equally mixed variety, with Tinta Barroca being predominant) and ‘Quinta do Pôpa Porto Vintage 2017’ (Old Vineyards only). The value of this cluster is €155 and also includes a visit to Quinta do Pôpa, with emphasis on the Vinhas Velhas plot, and a wine tasting for two people.
In total, Quinta do Pôpa has 4 hectares of Old Vineyards, 1.32 of which are from 1932. In a meticulous study of the varieties, there are already 21 identified varieties. In addition to being able to be visited in loco, when visiting the Quinta, this and other vineyards – as well as the cellar and the store – can be visited virtually, on the website, at https://vr.unit360.pt/quintadopopa /index.htm.
Vinhas Velhas are, by definition, a field blend, in this case with 21 identified varieties. This was a technique used in other times as a way of survival, insofar as if a variety was affected by diseases, pests or bad weather, there were others with resistance and good production. At the end of 2019, the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), which oversees the region’s production, defined rules for the designation Vinhas Velhas, which must be over 40 years old. The Old Vineyards of Quinta do Pôpa are more than twice this minimum age, being almost centenary, guaranteeing diversity, authenticity and a lot of wisdom.
Douro: Quinta do Pôpa presents new wine tourism programs
19/09/2022Quinta do Pôpa, located in the heart of the Douro, on the slopes of Adorigo, has yet another reason to blow out candles! After 15 years of wine production, 90 years of a special portion of Vinhas Velhas, it is now time to celebrate a decade since it opened its doors, on July 14, 2012. As a way of marking this event, Vanessa and Stéphane Ferreira – aka Netos do Pôpa – idealized and added novelties to wine tourism proposals. ‘From the vegetable garden to the table: a 100% vegan experience’ and the ‘Special Tasting 90 years old Vinhas Velhas: the importance of time’ are premieres, to which are added an upgrade in the ‘Picnic à do Pôpa’ program and a new product : the ‘Pôpa UnOaked Ice Creams’.
From the garden to the table, a 100% vegan experience – For those looking for and having a vegan lifestyle, Quinta do Pôpa now offers a 100% vegan experience, following the motto “from the garden to the table”. Under a permaculture regime, the Quinta’s vegetable garden was planted by the family, employees and their families this year. This new program begins, as usual, with a visit to the winery, the weather room and the wine cellar, and then to the vegetable garden, where those involved can feel the pleasure of harvesting, tasting and replanting edible vegetables and flowers. This experience culminates with a meal made with what was caught, accompanied by a tasting of premium wines, also vegan. A program lasting from 2h00 to 2h30 and designed to be enjoyed by 4 or more people. The value is €60.00 for each one.
Special Tasting 90 years Old Vineyards: the importance of time – The 90 years of one of Quinta do Pôpa’s Old Vineyards has already been marked with two special packs, now adding a new wine tourism offer. ‘Special 90 years of Old Vineyards: the importance of time’ is a proof in motion, which starts in the Old Vineyards plot (one of which can be visited virtually through the Quinta do Pôpa website). They then proceed to the cellar and the time room, where the explosion of aromas and flavors begins, with a tasting of red wine from Vinhas Velhas still aging in barrels. This experience ends on the porch of Quinta do Pôpa, where the wine tasting consists of six wines – ‘Pôpa Black Edition red’, two vintages of ‘Pôpa Vinhas Velhas’ – the most recent and one from the family’s private wine cellar –, ‘Pôpa Red Sweet Wine’ and ‘Quinta do Pôpa Porto Vintage’ – all made with grapes from the plot of Vinhas Velhas planted in 1932, a field blend of more than 21 different varieties, white and red. Accompanying it is a board of cheeses and sausages. This tasting is commented on by the Pôpa brothers and/or by the winemaker of the farm, thus promoting an authentic experience, with sharing of knowledge and stories of this family business. A program reserved for small groups, with 6 or more people. Lasting from 2h00 to 2h30, it costs €90.00 per person.
Upgrade to the ‘Picnic à do Pôpa’ and ‘Gelados Pôpa UnOaked’ program – In addition to these two premieres, Quinta do Pôpa now offers new experiences in its ‘Picnic à do Pôpa’ program, with new spaces and means of transport! You will be able to take the baskets to the garden or to the water mine, surrounded by orchards. The basket includes a cheese and/or sausage board, olive oil and olives; sweets or marmalade produced on the Quinta, regional bread, pies or patties, salad, ice cream and other delicacies adjusted to the dietary restrictions of diners. A bottle of ‘Pôpa UnOaked’ (white, rosé or red) is also included, for every two people. For nature fans, this experience is the perfect plan to venture out and join the biodiversity of Quinta do Pôpa. As a complement, bicycles and maps are available to freely walk around the Quinta and discover the places of greatest interest. All bicycles have a basket to transport the fruits and flowers they pick along the way, always consciously and without waste. The minimum age required to use a bicycle is 12 years and a minimum height of 1.50 meters. All-inclusive, this program allows membership of 2 to 8 people, with a cost of €45.00 per person.
The summer brought a fresh new feature: the ‘Pôpa UnOaked Ice Cream’, made from the trio of white, rosé and red Pôpa UnOaked wines, and, for now, only available for consumption on the spot, solo or during a picnic, a or brunch.
In addition to these novelties, the usual wine tourism programs are available, which allow an immersion in the production infrastructures, in the store, in addition to wine tasting, with different types of tasting, which can be accompanied by snacks, but also snacks or brunches, without losing sight of the Douro River. Informal, welcoming and full of sharing, this is how the wine tourism offer is characterized, ideal for family outings, as it has spaces dedicated to children and is pet friendly.
Wine tourism schedule
April to October: 10:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday to Saturday
November to March: from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
Contacts: turismo@quintadopopa.com or 916 653 442
Booking Conditions
Reservation and payment 48 hours in advance.
Programs depend on weather conditions.
Wine tasting at the Quinta Nova Patamar Wine Shop
19/09/2022The Patamar Wine Shop & Bar is the ideal place to enjoy an excellent view over the Douro Valley that opens on the façade, skillfully designed in the landscape like a traditional schist wall.
Here time is relative and very quickly you will find yourself contemplating an unforgettable sunset over the vineyards and the Douro River. It is in this relaxed atmosphere that you can taste the wines of this property, while enjoying delicious tapas from the region.
The wines are available for sale at the wine cellar, open to the public throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy special producer prices, Tax Free service and home deliveries if they wish (see conditions).
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Saturday
From April to October: 10:45, 12:15, 15:30, 17:00
From November to March 10:45 am, 12:15 pm, 3:30 pm
Opening Hours/Wine Tasting: Tuesday to Sunday
From April to October: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm
November to March:: 10:30am – 5:30pm
Producer Price | Shipping Service | Tax Free
Catarina rose appears to complete the range of this wine brand
19/09/2022Bacalhôa Group recently completed the Catarina family. Fruit of the best clay-limestone terroirs of Azeitão and sandy terroirs of Palmela, Catarina Rosé is now born. The family name appears in 1981 with the wine, inspired by D. Catarina de Bragança, Princess of Portugal and Queen of England. With an eye on the vineyard that started to produce it, present through a painting in a beautiful farm in Azeitão, this wine brought a new wine concept to the national market.
Then it was the turn of the red in 2018, and now this balanced and fresh rosé is born, from the 2021 harvest, with notes of forest fruits and the brand’s irreverence. Elegant, mineral and with a very long and fresh finish.
This wine from the Setúbal Peninsula is based on two carefully selected grape varieties, the irreverent Castelão (75%), one of the most renowned varieties of this region and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), one of the most iconic in the history of Bacalhôa. The must slowly fermented at low temperatures, which allowed it to preserve the primary aromas and flavors of the grape varieties. Castelão contributes red fruits, such as strawberry and raspberry. In turn, Cabernet delivers aromas of violets, spices and wild berries. With this novelty, Grupo Bacalhôa demonstrates, once again, its culture of permanent innovation, following the evolution of the market and creating trends. A wine that can also be tasted in Bacalhôa wine tourism.
Casa Relvas presents its DOC Vidigueira
19/09/2022After having launched a DOC Redondo in 2020, Casa Relvas has once again expanded its range with the presentation of DOC Vidigueira, a wine that is born in the vineyards of Herdade dos Pisões, located in Alcaria da Serra, Vidigueira. Casa Relvas acquired Herdade dos Pisões in 2017, a property where the Alentejo producer owns 54 hectares of vines in production. «The region of Vidigueira, where Casa Relvas has 189 hectares, is well known for its white wines and, now, the company is proud to announce the launch of its first white DOC, DOC Vigueira», says Alexandre Relvas, CEO from Casa Relvas. With a 3-month stage ‘sur lies’, DOC Vidigueira 2021 is composed of Antão Vaz, Arinto, Perrum, among other varieties. With a citrus yellow tone and an intense aroma of tropical fruits, with hints of vanilla and a slight mineral, in the mouth it has a long and persistent finish.
According to the producer, it is ideal to pair with white meats, seasoned fish, cod and seafood. Fresh and balanced, it is perfect for hot summer days, and sharing at the table with friends and family, creating new memories that, like wine, gain more flavor when time is spent slowly in good company. “Last year was very challenging for us. The winter was quite cold and with a lot of rain and the spring was also rainy, with an average downy mildew pressure and the vines reacted well in terms of water needs during the beginning of the growing season. In summer, temperatures were mild, with only a few days above 38 degrees. Due to the slow maturation, 2021 was a year of great harvest, which allowed us to make a rich and high quality wine», adds Nuno Franco, production manager at Casa Relvas.
DOC Vidigueira has a retail price of €9 and is available in the main wineries across the country, as well as in the Casa Relvas online store – and soon it will also be possible to find it in several restaurants from north to south of the country.
Herdade do Rocim and Quinta da Lagoa Velha launch claret from Bairrada
19/09/2022There are 800 bottles of 1 liter that will now hit the market, just in time to mark the month of August, through the animated character Bruno Aleixo, born from the partnership between Herdade do Rocim and Quinta da Lagoa Velha. The campaign is now online and Bruno Aleixo, a furry character with an accent from Bairrada and a three-weekly presence on RTP’s Antena 3, promises to cause a sensation. The claret wine, made from the Baga variety, from the 2021 harvest, DOC Bairrada, will be on sale at the Herdade do Rocim online store, for a price of 19.99 euros (https://rocim.pt/produtocategoria/gift_shop /).
«This wine has a fresh and complex profile that allows the whole family, over 18 years old, to be satisfied, transversally, from the beginner palate to the most demanding palate, making it a perfect choice for this summer», adds Pedro Ribeiro. , winemaker and manager of Herdade do Rocim. «Having Bruno Aleixo involved in the process only made the challenge even richer as he made sure that the wine had the best quality and that the blend would please all Portuguese people!», he continues. «Two bottles is a lot, but one is also little… That’s why 1 liter is perfect», he concludes.
It is recalled that Herdade do Rocim, located between Vidigueira and Cuba, in Baixo Alentejo, Portugal, with around 120 hectares, of which 70 are vineyards and 10 are olive groves, organically grown and largely certified, sells 1 million bottles annually, between Portugal and 39 other countries. Today, Mariana, Olho de Mocho, Herdade do Rocim, Grande Rocim and Vale da Mata wines are available in 39 countries, from Germany to the United States of America, through Brazil and Angola, as well as Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, among others. . 2020 represented a drop compared to 2019, with the year closing at 3 million euros in turnover. 2021 is already showing recovery and closed the year at 4.5 million euros.
New vintages (2021) of Moscatel Roxo Rosé and Verdelho from the Private Collection of winemaker Domingos Soares Franco launched
19/09/2022José Maria da Fonseca has launched the two new vintages from the DSF Private Collection to taste during the new season: the Moscatel Roxo Rosé and the Verdelho 2021. This range of wines perfectly reflects the passion, creative spirit and dedication that winemaker Domingos Soares Franco, awarded last year with the award for personality of the year in wine and winemaker of the year for fortified wines, imposes on his creations, for an authentic experience.
Coming from clay-limestone soils, the Colecção Privada DSF Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2021 is a wine characterized by its freshness and uniqueness, because it is produced using a noble and very rare grape variety. With an aromatic persistence of white roses, this rosé has a light salmon color and reveals a long palate with floral notes.
The Colecção Privada DSF Verdelho 2021 is a persistent and balanced white with floral aromas of lantanas and exotic fruits. Citrus yellow in color and coming from clay-limestone soils, this wine has a fresh and exotic palate, in harmony with the aromas on the nose.
«In all the Private Collection vintages I have complete freedom and creativity to decide which wines I will make and how I will make them. This allows me to get various ideas and inspirations resulting in creations of unique and differentiating wines», says Domingos Soares Franco.
The Symington family opens a new restaurant with chef Pedro Lemos at Quinta do Bomfim
19/09/2022Inspired by the memories and aromas of wood-burning stoves and ovens, ‘Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos’ celebrates the heritage of the Douro region with classic dishes, brought together by an exceptional Symington family wine list. On the banks of the Douro River, in the village of Pinhão, Quinta do Bomfim has been home to Porto Dow’s since 1896, which is the inspiration for the restaurant’s name. Five generations of the Symington family have tended the estate, whose vineyards have produced some of the region’s most iconic wines over the last century. In partnership with Michelin-starred chef Pedro Lemos, the Symington family will open a restaurant on June 10, which aims to recreate traditional Douro cuisine, centered around large wood-fired ovens.
Pedro Lemos revisits the traditional recipe to create classic dishes, all cooked over fire. The firewood comes from a variety of trees, sustainably produced with respect for seasonality and which give subtle differences to the aromas of the dishes. The menu is the result of a careful selection of products, including seafood and fish dishes from our coast, meat and vegetables. The menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list that includes long-aged wines, Single Harvest Tawny Ports (Colheitas) of restricted production and rare bottles of Vintage Ports from the Symington family wineries.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos stands on the top floor of an old wine warehouse, with magnificent views over the Douro River. Upon arrival, customers can enjoy the restaurant’s bar before heading to the main room — surmounted by imposing wooden girders — or on the extensive outdoor terrace. The kitchen is open plan, allowing customers a clear view of the action taking place there. ‘Quinta do Bomfim is the heart and soul of Portos Dow’s and our family home in the Douro for a long time. In the wake of the success of the Casa dos Ecos pop-up restaurant, we are delighted to establish a new partnership with the talented chef Pedro Lemos, to once again create a restaurant that celebrates the gastronomy and wines of our region. Inspired by the memories and unique aromas of the old wood stove on the family farm, Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos proposes to recreate this traditional cuisine. We look forward to having visitors to experience it’ said Johnny Symington, Chairman, Symington Family Estates.
Torre de Palma promotes wine tourism and wines in Lisbon
19/09/2022Next Wednesday, July 13, at 7:00 pm, the Wel Well Center, in Lisbon, welcomes wines from Adega Torre de Palma, for a memorable wine dinner. The menu by chef Lucas Alves, from the Wel Well Center, will be made especially for the event, promising excellence and an unparalleled balance of flavors resulting from the symbiosis between Alentejo and Brazilian inspiration. Torre de Palma will present a special selection of its wines led by sommelier Luiza Cazarin and winemaker Duarte de Deus, in a dinner that promises to be a journey of unforgettable flavors and knowledge to Alentejo lands.
«Influenced by the microclimate of Serra de São Mamede and produced in a practically artisanal way, the new references result in a perfect combination for the creation of unique wines, in total harmony with nature», explains winemaker Duarte de Deus. «The Torre de Palma vineyard follows an integrated production plan, favoring the use of natural regulation mechanisms, and is installed on land that is very balanced, with neutral pH and clay-loam texture», he adds.
The latest novelties to be tested are the new harvest Torre de Palma Rosé 2021, which has a fruity aroma, with notes of wild strawberry and fresh cherry, and Torre de Palma Arinto Alvarinho 2021, the latest novelty from this producer, which presents itself as a crystalline wine with an intense tone for these varieties and a complex and elegant aroma, with notes of lime and pineapple. Two perfect suggestions to cool off in the hottest moments ahead.
This dinner will be served in the heart of Lisbon, close to one of the most urban and neighborhood squares in the city – Praça das Flores, on Rua Marcos Portugal. Price: 35 euros per person
To book, just send an email to: Luiza Cazarin – Lcazarin@torredepalma.com or call 913460511