Wines from the Setúbal region toast the cold weather

The Setúbal Peninsula welcomes the cold weather with new launches that highlight the excellence of its red wines, including novelties from Casa Ermelinda Freitas and José Maria da Fonseca. From Casa Ermelinda Freitas comes Bocage Red Blend 2022, a young, intense wine with rich tannins and aromas of ripe black fruit and spices. With a touch of vanilla from the wood, it is ideal to accompany meat dishes, cheeses and sausages.

In celebration of its 190th anniversary, José Maria da Fonseca is presenting two new references in the Domingos Soares Franco Private Collection: DSF Castelão 2015 and DSF Syrah 2021. Castelão 2015 stands out for its elegance and rusticity, with notes of eucalyptus and spices, soft tannins and excellent ageing potential. DSF Syrah 2021, with its aromas of black fruits and spices, is balanced, fruity and with soft tannins, and is also a wine with great longevity. These launches reflect the creativity and passion of winemaker Domingos Soares Franco, reaffirming José Maria da Fonseca’s commitment to innovation and the region’s winemaking tradition.

In addition to the usual sales outlets, these new products can also be found in the wine tourism stores of the respective producers.

Barca Velha Tinto 2015 in the Spotlight at the Next Big Bottle Day at JNcQUOI Avenida

The next edition of Big Bottle Day, scheduled for Friday 24 January, promises to be unforgettable. At JNcQUOI Avenida, an exclusive edition of Barca Velha Tinto 2015 will be served by the glass in a 6-litre bottle.
From 12 noon, wine lovers will have the unique opportunity to taste this icon of Portuguese wines for €155 per glass. Barca Velha 2015 is the result of an exceptional year, with vineyards in the Douro Superior that give the wine character, persistence and remarkable complexity.
Created in 1952, Barca Velha is Casa Ferreirinha’s finest wine and is only declared in vintages of unrivalled quality. This wine is a true symbol of the Douro’s excellence, recognised worldwide.
Big Bottle Day, an initiative of JNcQUOI Avenida since February 2019, offers every Friday the chance to taste extraordinary wines, in large and rare formats, in a unique and exclusive experience.
For more information, visit JNcQUOI Avenida and experience this unmissable opportunity.

Alentejo wine sustainability programme a success

More than 35 per cent of Alentejo wines are now produced using more sustainable practices, announced the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA). This milestone was reached as part of the Alentejo Wine Sustainability Programme (PSVA), a pioneering initiative that has already certified 25 producers and covers 7,470 hectares of vineyards, equivalent to almost 32% of the region’s total area.

With the certification, awarded by CVRA’s partners, these producers represent 121 million litres of wine that follow strict criteria for environmental preservation, energy efficiency, promotion of the circular economy and socio-economic development.

Francisco Mateus, president of the CVRA, emphasises that ‘the results reflect the commitment of Alentejo producers to quality, ecosystems and sustainability. We want to continue to grow, positioning the Alentejo as a national and international benchmark in this sector.’

João Barroso, coordinator of the WASP, points out that the Alentejo is unique in Portugal for its sustainable approach and is already recognised as a global example. Since the programme began in 2015, the WASP has grown to include more than 637 members, 25 of whom have already been certified. Certification, which began in 2020, involves annual audits to ensure compliance with 171 criteria, promoting the Alentejo as a model of sustainable innovation in the wine sector.

Abreu Summit highlights growth in domestic tourism and focus on wine tourism.

The Estoril Congress Centre hosted another edition of the Abreu Summit, an annual event organised by the Abreu Agency that brings together employees and partners to reflect on the previous year’s performance and outline strategies for the following year. This year, the initiative was attended by 700 participants, including internal staff and guests, and one of the main highlights was the reinforcement of the relevance of the destination Portugal in the company’s sales.
Pedro Quintela, Sales and Marketing Director at Agência Abreu, described 2024 as a ‘good year’, in line with the results of 2023, but without exceeding expectations. Domestic tourism was consolidated as one of the agency’s strengths, with high demand for the Algarve, Alentejo, North and Douro regions, as well as the Portuguese islands such as Madeira and the Azores. ‘Portugal continues to be the destination we sell the most of, which often goes unnoticed, but it represents a very important slice of our operations,’ said Quintela.

One of Agência Abreu’s plans for 2025 is to invest in the development of tourist programmes focused on premium experiences, including wine tourism. This trend is gaining momentum as the demand for immersive and authentic travel grows, both among international tourists and among the Portuguese themselves.Wine tourism, which combines visits to vineyards, wine tastings and the discovery of local traditions, has been increasingly valued as a differentiating experience, ideal for closed groups and corporate programmes.
In addition, international destinations such as Cape Verde, the Caribbean, Thailand and Japan continue to be among the agency’s most popular, but the focus on Portugal reflects the commitment to promoting the country’s cultural, gastronomic and wine-making riches.
With this strategy, Abreu is reaffirming its role as a promoter of sustainable, quality tourism, while at the same time exploring new opportunities to attract visitors and enhance the local economy.

New Vinha das Romãs Tinto 2022: an Alentejo benchmark

Ravasqueira has just launched the new Vinha das Romãs Tinto 2022, once again consolidating its reputation as a benchmark in Alentejo viticulture. This emblematic wine, produced from a unique terroir on the outskirts of Arraiolos, is the result of a special blend of Touriga Franca and Syrah grown on 7.5 hectares that once housed a pomegranate orchard. The roots of these trees, still present in the soil, contribute to the richness and complexity of the ecosystem that gives rise to this unique wine.

The 2022 vintage spent around 20 months in new French oak barrels and has a dark, opaque red color. On the nose, the wine initially reveals a closed profile, but soon expands with complex aromas of black fruit, cedar, pennyroyal, spices such as cardamom and earthy notes. On the palate, it offers a fleshy experience, with solid, elegant tannins, pronounced freshness and a granite mineral finish. A true Alentejo classic, powerful and elegant, as David Baverstock, Chief Winemaker at WineStone, describes it: “Vinha das Romãs Tinto shines at the table, showing its great tasting value. With a good ageing capacity, it is a unique wine, powerful yet elegant, with its own personality offered by its soils of origin.”

With a recommended price of 20 euros, Vinha das Romãs Red 2022 also comes with a limited edition of 100 exclusive ceramic pieces, available only at the Ravasqueira wine tourism store. Created by ceramicist Maria Reis, the pieces celebrate the history of the vineyard and the pomegranates that once grew on that plot. For purchases over 100 euros, including this wine, one of these pieces is offered to visitors, reinforcing the link between wine, art and tradition.

In addition to Vinha das Romãs Red, Ravasqueira also stands out for producing Vinha das Romãs Blanc de Noirs, an innovative white that uses the same red grapes as the iconic red. Both references have received international recognition, with the red accumulating more than 93 points in Wine Enthusiast in the last 10 vintages and distinctions as ‘Revelation’ in the Brussels World Competition. Vinha das Romãs Red 2022 celebrates not only the Alentejo terroir, but also the care and precision of Ravasqueira’s viticulture, making it once again an excellent choice for lovers of great wines.

Pipadouro closes 2024 with record number of passengers and wins world wine tourism award

Pipadouro, the luxury river tourism operator in the Douro, closed 2024 with a historic 42 per cent growth in the number of passengers, welcoming more than two thousand tourists aboard its vintage yachts, Friendship I and Pipadouro II. This performance reflects the recovery of the sector and the success of the unique experiences it offers, which earned it the world award for Best Innovative Wine Tourism Experience at the People’s Choice Awards of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.

With tourists coming from 26 countries, the North American market stood out, accounting for more than 40 per cent of occupancy, followed by Portuguese (20 per cent) and Brazilian (12.9 per cent) clients. The company ran 415 programmes throughout the year – an increase of 39% compared to 2023 – including tailor-made experiences and programmes such as ‘A Day in the Douro’, which combines sailing and regional enogastronomy.

‘2024 was an extraordinary year, and this growth reflects the recognition of our work and commitment to offering high-quality experiences. We are motivated to innovate even more in 2025,’ said Ana Clara Silva, Pipadouro’s operations director.

Specialising in personalised experiences, Pipadouro continues to position the Douro as an international benchmark in luxury tourism, promoting the region’s natural, cultural and oenological wealth.

Granvinhos launches a new wine on the market

The Granvinhos group has just launched Quinta de S. Salvador da Torre Loureiro DOC Vinho Verde 2023, the first wine resulting from the partnership between Anselmo Mendes and Jorge Dias. This milestone comes about a year and a half after the acquisition of the historic Quinta de S. Salvador da Torre in Viana do Castelo, consolidating the ambition of both winemakers to join forces to create wines of excellence.

In 2022, Granvinhos acquired the quinta from the Soja de Portugal Group, a property over 400 years old, located on the right bank of the Lima River, just 10 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. With 37 hectares, 30 of which are vineyards, the property benefits from a unique terroir, characterised by granite and schist soils, and a perfect microclimate for producing elegant wines. ‘I believe in the future of Vinho Verde and, in particular, in the potential of the Alvarinho and Loureiro grape varieties. These are products adapted to new times and consumption habits, but they need to be valorised by connecting them to the production areas and the Atlantic diet, where Portugal has a unique offer,’ says Jorge Dias, Managing Director of Granvinhos.

Cas’Amaro launches Porco Espinho Red and White 2023, a tribute to Dão

Cas’Amaro presents the new range of Porco Espinho Red and White 2023 wines, a tribute to the rich winemaking tradition of the Dão region. Produced at Quinta da Fontalta in Santa Comba Dão, these wines stand out for their quality, authenticity and respect for the terroir that defines the region.

Porco Espinho Red 2023 has an intense ruby color, with aromas of red fruits and soft spicy notes. In the mouth, it reveals a firm structure, well-integrated tannins and a long finish, characteristics that reflect the blend of Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz and Jaen grape varieties. This wine is ideal for pairing with red meats, grilled meats and mature cheeses, enhancing the gastronomic experience. Porco Espinho White 2023 has a light lemon hue and a floral aroma enriched by notes of stone fruit. Produced from the Malvasia Fina, Cerceal Branco and Bical grape varieties, this wine stands out for its vibrant freshness and balanced finish. Perfect to accompany dishes such as roast fish, seafood rice and shellfish, it is an invitation to enjoy good Portuguese gastronomy.

Quinta da Fontalta, with its 15 hectares of vineyards and historic manor house, is the ideal setting for creating these wines. “The Porcos Espinho are a reflection of the uniqueness of the Dão terroir, combining freshness and soil diversity. The red is robust and structured, while the white brings freshness and vibrant aromas. The presence of a colony of porcupines on the property symbolizes the connection between local biodiversity and our wines,” says Ricardo Santos, Cas’Amaro’s winemaking director.

Committed to sustainable practices, Porco Espinho wines are also vegan, reflecting Cas’Amaro’s respect for the environment and the new demands of conscious consumers. The new range is now available and promises to be an authentic toast to the best that Dão has to offer.

Regenerative Wine Fest returns in 2025 with more sustainability and new protagonists

The second edition of the Regenerative Wine Fest has already been scheduled for 31 May 2025. The event, devised by Luís Serrano Mira, owner of Herdade das Servas, and Renato Neves, director of viticulture and oenology, returns to Estremoz with an even more comprehensive approach to regenerative viticulture and sustainable practices.

The success of the first edition, held in 2023, led to the calendar being brought forward – from September to May – allowing participants to enjoy the landscape and work in the vineyards during a period of greater exuberance. ‘We want this to be a time to celebrate sustainability and innovation in the sector,’ said Luís Serrano Mira.

The 2025 edition promises new features, with new producers and regenerative food products joining the programme. Until then, updates will be posted on the event’s official website (www.regenerativewinefest.pt) and on the newly created Instagram account (@regenerativewine.fest).

The Regenerative Wine Fest made its debut this year with the participation of eight producers from various regions – from host Herdade das Servas to Quinta da Covela, in Vinhos Verdes – and with a showcase of around 30 wines. Around 130 participants, including winemakers, oenologists and enthusiasts, attended an event that combined moments of relaxation with knowledge-sharing sessions, including four talks led by journalist and curator Edgardo Pacheco.

The purpose of the festival was clear: to promote literacy about regenerative agricultural practices, explore their impact on the creation of unique wines and highlight the role of these practices in preserving ecosystems.

The Regenerative Wine Fest has strengthened its position as a benchmark event, positioning itself at the crossroads between viticulture and sustainability. With an approach that combines innovation, excellent agricultural practices and a commitment to the environment, the festival is preparing to take new steps in 2025, inspiring producers and consumers to join this regenerative movement.

New Harvests at Passarella

The centuries-old vineyards of Casa da Passarella, in Dão, continue to produce wines of unique character, with new vintages that perpetuate their historical identity. Among the releases, the Villa Oliveira and O Fugitivo ranges stand out, both in limited editions and marked by excellence and innovation. In the Villa Oliveira line, the Vinha das Pedras Altas 2017, Vinha Centenária Pai D’Aviz 2018, and Touriga Nacional 2018 bring the expression of old vines with spontaneous fermentations and long aging in oak barrels, resulting in fresh, elegant wines with great aging potential. In the O Fugitivo collection, the Pinot Noir 2021 reflects delicacy and complexity, while the Espumante Baga 2018 revisits traditional methods, evoking a historical winemaking legacy. These releases reinforce the classic essence of Casa da Passarella, paying tribute to the knowledge and terroir that define it.