From the mastery of its winemaker: two debuts in the Domingos Soares Franco Private Collection
10/07/2024José Maria da Fonseca has just announced a quartet of novelties in the Domingos Soares Franco Private Collection – two debuts with the new references DSF Castelão 2015 and DSF Syrah 2021; and two new harvests of the wines DSF Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2023 and DSF Verdelho 2023. This range of wines reflects the experimental nature of winemaker Domingos Soares Franco and perfectly embodies the passion, creative spirit, and dedication that Domingos brings to his creations, for an authentic experience.
As a result of the commitment and importance that the Castelão grape variety holds for José Maria da Fonseca, a 100% Castelão varietal could not be missing from this collection. With a production of 6,000 liters, the Private Collection DSF Castelão 2015 is a red wine with a deep red color and brownish hints. On the nose, it exhibits aromas of eucalyptus and spices, as well as a more elegant and astute side. On the palate, it presents itself as a rustic wine with good acidity and balance. The tannins are present but smooth, making it a wine with excellent aging potential, up to 15 years after bottling.
Complementing the region’s choice red grape variety, the second release is the Private Collection DSF Syrah 2021. With a deep red hue, it presents aromas of black fruits such as blueberry, bergamot, wild blackberry, and spices. On the palate, it is velvety, balanced, fruity, with some black pepper. It has good acidity and present, though smooth, tannins. With a production of 9,000 liters, it is also a wine with longevity.
Regarding the new harvests, the Private Collection DSF Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2023 is a wine characterized by freshness and uniqueness, as it is produced using a noble and very rare grape variety. With aromatic persistence of white roses and jasmine, this rosé presents a very light petroleum color and reveals a fresh and balanced palate. It is a wine to be consumed young and ideal to accompany light meals, oriental dishes, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Finally, the Private Collection DSF Verdelho 2023 is a varietal with a lemon-yellow color and greenish tones, presenting aromas of orange blossom, lime, green tea, and lantana. This white wine presents a very fresh palate with a prominent and well-integrated crisp acidity with the fruit. Its finish is medium and it should be consumed young. “In all the harvests of the Private Collection, I have total freedom and creativity to decide which wines I will make and how I will make them. This allows me to draw on various ideas and inspirations, resulting in unique and distinctive wine creations,” says Domingos Soares Franco.
Casa de Santar Welcomes Summer with a New Rosé
08/07/2024Casa de Santar Reserva Rosé 2022 has just hit the market. Crystal clear and salmon pink in color, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif and with lightly seasoned dishes based on fish, grilled white and red meats. The aroma is intense, complex, with slight notes of fresh red fruits. The flavor is fresh, fruity, complex, and has a long persistence.
With an RRP of 15.75 euros, Casa de Santar Reserva Rosé should be consumed at a temperature of 10°C and can be found in specialty stores, wine shops, or online at 1990.wine.
This single-variety wine, 100% Touriga Nacional, is perfect for toasting to the warm summer days and is signed by Paulo Prior, director of winemaking at Global Wines.
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo launches Mirabilis white 2022
05/07/2024Singular and the result of a filigree and precision viticulture, the Mirabilis white 2022 now comes to the market with the irrevocable quality seal of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Originating from the rigorous selection of small parcels of scarce vineyards and the dream of going further to design a Douro wine for the World, the new vintage continues the legacy of the last decade and translates into an authentic and rare wine, without physical barriers.
“Entering the Mirabilis world is transcending territoriality, it is creating with energy and conviction an unrepeatable wine that perpetuates over time. A promise of discovery,” argues Luísa Amorim, CEO of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. “The waiting time in the bottle has proved beneficial, granting the wine an extra layer of complexity and elegance, with emphasis on freshness, structure, and acidity,” she emphasizes.
Like previous editions, the Mirabilis white 2022 also originates from the highest topographies of the Douro, where old vine grapes dwell, some of them centuries old. It is in the altitude that the wine region transforms, with lower temperatures allowing white grapes to reach the ideal ripening point. Fruit and minerality are expressed clearly and transparently, characteristics that interconnect with the firm texture and linear structure that define the backbone of this reference, marked also by an unmatched depth.
Made from Viosinho and Gouveio, among other extremely rare grape varieties, at the genesis of Mirabilis are also transition soils between shale and granite, located at an altitude of over 650 meters. This wine has a stage in second and third-year wood, to slowly and harmoniously mark and integrate the intense fruit. A minimalist winemaking, a maximal defender of the preservation of this mountain viticulture, as timeless as the Douro Valley.
“2022 was one of the most challenging years in the Douro. There is no doubt that altitude and human hand make the difference in deciding the optimal ripening point, despite the hot days and cool nights of August. The morning dew from the highlands of the Douro kept the perfumes, fruity aromas, fine texture, and dense structure,” ensures the winemaking team of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Jorge Alves and António Bastos.
Fine and complex aromas, marked by white fruit, spices, and wildflowers, join the mineral notes of wet stone from a wine defined by firm structure and granitic texture. On the palate, the sparkling acidity and the full-bodied tension and energy complete a wonderful narrative, which extends over time and history.
Churchill’s launches limited edition of Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port
03/07/2024Churchill’s announced the release of a limited edition of Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port – the latest edition of its Single Quinta Vintage Port wine. Johnny Graham, founder and master blender of Churchill’s, describes it as “a classic Quinta da Gricha Vintage with intensity and elegance, with potential for aging in the bottle for many years.” With a deep color, a spicy nose, and aromas of rockrose and fresh blueberries, “it is rich and vibrant, with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish,” says Johnny Graham.
Quinta da Gricha is located on the south bank of the Douro River between Pinhão and Tua, facing north. The property, with 40 hectares, includes a vineyard area of approximately 30 hectares. Named after the natural spring (gricha) that feeds the north-facing vineyards, Quinta da Gricha is situated in a microclimate between 150 and 400 meters above sea level, with an exposure to the wind that naturally regulates humidity. The oldest vines are over 70 years old and produce wines with structure and a vibrant natural acidity. The richness of Gricha’s terroir produces wines with characteristic minerality, freshness, and pure energy.
Quinta da Gricha’s Vintage Ports are produced with minimal intervention: sourced exclusively from the estate’s old vines, the grapes are hand-picked, double-sorted, and foot-trodden in the traditional granite lagares of the Quinta, with a prolonged natural fermentation process that uses only native yeasts. “A true example of the unique conditions of this place.”
The Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 was the result of a very hot and dry year. Due to the lack of precipitation and high temperatures during the ripening period, the harvest started earlier than expected. Some rainfall and lower temperatures in early September benefited the overall quality of the grapes, without having a major impact on yields, which were 15 to 20% below the previous year. The old vines producing this Single Quinta Vintage were harvested on September 11th under perfect weather conditions.
“Despite the very difficult conditions preceding the harvest, with a dramatic lack of water since winter and extremely hot and dry summer months, our Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 is a true example of the unique conditions of this magical place: a Port full of grip and intensity, but at the same time elegant, pure, and seductive. A wine I am very proud to showcase,” says Ricardo Pinto Nunes, Production Director and Winemaker at Churchill’s. “Despite the hot and dry year, this Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port 2022 presents a characteristic aroma of spices and resin, with fresh and exuberant notes of blueberry on the palate. It is a classic Quinta da Gricha Vintage Port, with intensity and elegance, that will age gracefully for many years,” notes Johnny Graham, Founder and Chief Winemaker at Churchill’s.
All Quinta da Gricha’s Vintage Ports are produced in very small quantities. The Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha 2022 Vintage Port is a bottling of only 3094 numbered bottles of 75cl and 150 magnums (1.5l).
Available at Churchill’s wine tourism spaces, wine stores, and specialized shops.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos celebrates second anniversary
28/06/2024The restaurant Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos—located at Quinta do Bomfim in Pinhão—is preparing to mark its second year of operation with exclusive opportunities. In celebration, the restaurant, which entered the prestigious Michelin Guide this year, will offer the unique opportunity to experience the Vintage Dow’s 1970—a wine produced on the property by the Symington family. As an anniversary novelty, the restaurant will also introduce a new wine pairing to its tasting menu, featuring wines produced by members of the Primum Familiae Vini—an international association composed of 12 highly respected winemaking families. These new experiences have been available since June 11.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos is a gastronomic project resulting from a partnership between the Symington family and chef Pedro Lemos, located on the upper floor of an old wine warehouse at Quinta do Bomfim. On a property that has belonged to the Symington family for five generations, the restaurant features an open kitchen, reminiscent of the communal and shared meals in the old large-chimney kitchens of the Douro. Wood-fired cooking and ingredients from national producers are the stars of a menu that pays homage to traditional Douro flavors. Surrounded by the unique landscape of the region, with views of the vineyards, the restaurant’s balcony is the ideal place to enjoy a summer lunch, serving as a window to the Douro.
As a proud member of Primum Familiae Vini, Symington will take the occasion of the restaurant’s anniversary to share with Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos’ customers some of the wines produced by other members of the association. From the Champagne region, a Brut Vintage from Pol Roger; from Burgundy, Les Clos Mâcon Bussières by Joseph Drouhin; from the Perrin family in the Rhône Valley, the white Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards; from Tuscany, Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva, Tenuta Tiagnello; and from the Symington family, a Dow’s 30 Years Port. These are the five wines included in the new wine pairing, which can, from June 11, accompany the tasting menu.
The PFV Pairing will cost 80 euros, in addition to the 110 euros for the tasting menu. For the restaurant’s second-anniversary celebration, on June 11, there will be a special offer to discover the tasting menu along with the new pairing for the special price of 120 euros.
Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos is open from Tuesday to Saturday, for lunch (between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM) and dinner (between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM). Advance reservation is recommended through the website www.bomfim1896.pt.
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021 Awarded Grand Gold Medal at the 2024 Portugal Wine Competition
26/06/2024Planted in 2004, Vinha da Francisca stands as a symbol of viticultural excellence in the Douro region, blending five emblematic grape varieties: Sousão, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Francisca, and Rufete. Spanning 4.5 hectares in the heart of Quinta Vale D. Maria, this vineyard, predominantly facing south and southeast, yields grapes of exceptional quality. It was these grapes, harvested in 2021, that gave rise to the award-winning wine for the fourth consecutive year: Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021, distinguished with the Grand Gold Medal at the 2024 Portugal Wine Competition.
Marked by unpredictable weather conditions in the Douro, 2021 posed some challenges, although it culminated in a balanced harvest. Winter rains were sufficient to replenish reserves until the beginning of summer, but the lack of water in July and August presented a new challenge. However, cool nights and the absence of extreme heat ultimately allowed for balanced ripening, while unexpected rains in September fulfilled the water needs. Harvesting, which began in September and extended into October, required meticulous monitoring and precise decision-making at the time of harvest, resulting in the exceptional quality of the wines.
Characterized by attention to detail, the vinification process of Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021 thus resulted in an excellent wine. The grapes are handpicked, carefully selected, and destemmed before being fermented in granite lagares for 7 to 10 days at controlled temperatures. After fermentation, the wine is transferred to new French oak barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and matures for 20 months before final selection and bottling.
This wine presents an intense color and fruity aromas of dark red fruits, such as black cherry and blackcurrant, along with floral and spicy notes, such as black pepper, which impart complexity and elegance to its structure.
The 2024 Portugal Wine Competition featured over 1,300 national references evaluated by 132 sector specialists, both national and international. The Grand Gold and Gold medals awarded in this competition ensure the presence of the wines at prominent international events, providing a unique opportunity for the international promotion of Portuguese producers.
For more information about Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca 2021 and other wines from Quinta Vale D. Maria, visit the official website at www.quintavaledmaria.pt.
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha da Francisca Tinto 2021 – 0.75L | RRP: €90
The Golden Dinner: Wine tourism booming in Vidigueira
26/06/2024Following the 11th Alentejo Best Wines Competition, organized by the Confraria dos Enófilos do Alentejo in close collaboration with the Comissão Vitivinícola Regional Alentejana, Vidigueira once again established itself as a Territory of Excellence in terms of wine. Six Gold Medals were awarded to wines from the Vidigueira winery, representing 30% of all Gold Medals in the competition. It is also worth noting that the VILA DE FRADES 1656 Talha Wine was the first and only Talha Wine to be awarded a medal at the competition.
In this context, the idea arose to organize a wine dinner entitled “The Golden Dinner”, in which the Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba e Altivo, Herdade Grande, Pousio HMR, Morais Rocha Wines and Quinta do Quetzal will gather at the table for an evening dedicated to the best of the region, allowing participants to taste all the excellent award-winning wines in a single meal, accompanied by excellent cuisine.
The dinner will take place at Casa das Talhas – wine tourism of the Adega de Vidigueira, on July 5th, Friday, at 7:30 pm and costs €60. Chef João Mourato (Quinta do Quetzal) has accepted the challenge of pairing the award-winning wines with the various delicacies and has created a menu with 7 moments, which I share in the attachment.
More details: https://www.facebook.com/help/192946630752330
Reservations: https://adegavidigueira.pt/
Krohn Colheita 2006: the Best Portuguese Wine at the London Wine Competition
19/06/2024Awarded with a Gold Medal and 95 points, Krohn Colheita 2006 was named the best Portuguese wine (best in show) at the 2024 edition of the prestigious London Wine Competition, whose results have recently been announced. A multifaceted jury, including several Masters of Wine, evaluated the wine, highlighting its intrinsic quality as well as its image and price-quality ratio.
In the tasting note, the judges emphasized its “dark ruby appearance with notes of hazelnut, dark cherry, and honey on the nose. Aromas of nuts, coffee, and caramel with moderate complexity and length,” resulting in a final score of 95 points, the highest awarded to a Portuguese wine in the London Wine Competition.
Unlike other competitions, this competition not only analyzes the organoleptic characteristics of the wine but also scores its market value and brand image, certifying, before consumers, the excellence of the product and the accompanying mix, including price and promotional strategies. “It has been a pleasure to work with Krohn and its immense heritage of high-quality vintages. For any winemaker, it is an honor to be part of the history of a brand, about to celebrate 160 years, and with the resources that are the most difficult to guarantee: time and terroir. Undoubtedly, we are dealing with some of the most unique Ports in the world, and our mission is to share this heritage every day. Awards and medals in competitions help to progress on the path outlined and to be closer to consumers, being an opportunity to affirm the long history and excellence of this brand,” says David Baverstock, Chairman Winemaker of WineStone, the group to which Krohn belongs.
Mafalda Bahia Machado, winemaker at WineStone in the Douro region, including Quinta do Retiro Novo, where the old vines grow that result in Krohn’s superb vintages, adds that “the quality of the brand’s Port Wines has been recognized over time by consumers, and it is our goal to raise the bar, creating objects of desire, with an image of excellence that everyone, especially the most demanding, recognizes.”
In the same competition, two other Krohn Port wines were also highlighted. Krohn Vintage Quinta do Retiro Novo 2011 received 90 points, also obtaining a Gold Medal from the competition’s jury. The Krohn 10-Year Tawny was also praised by the jury, scoring 89 points, which corresponds to a Silver Medal in the competition.
The London Wine Competition was the first competition to which Krohn Port wines were submitted since its integration into the WineStone Group. Following the creation of the José de Mello Group’s business platform dedicated to the wine sector last year, the Wiese&Krohn brand and Quinta do Retiro Novo, a centuries-old space in the Cima Corgo region that allows for the production of the entire range of special category Port Wines that have marked generation after generation since 1865, were acquired. Krohn has an extensive collection of Colheita and Vintage Port Wines, with its Krohn Colheita 2006 receiving excellent reception from specialized critics and international competitions alike.
Paço de Teixeiró launches three new Vinho Verde wines to refresh your summer
19/06/2024Located in the Baião sub-region, in the Vinho Verde region, recognized as the birthplace of the Avesso grape variety, Paço de Teixeiró launches three new wines on the market, just in time to refresh this summer. In a unique terroir with schist soils, located at the foothills of the Serra do Marão, Paço de Teixeiró, which has been part of the WineStone portfolio since the end of last year, thus offers three new Vinho Verde wines, full of freshness and elegance: Teixeiró Avesso 2023, Teixeiró Alvarinho 2023, and Teixeiró 2023, a blend born from the Avesso, Loureiro, and Alvarinho grape varieties.
It is the queen grape variety of the Baião sub-region that gives rise to Teixeiró Avesso 2023, a single varietal that presents fruity and mineral aromas. Characterized by a fresh aroma that harmonizes with citrus notes and delicate stone fruit nuances, this wine, with a greenish-citrus color, showcases a harmony between acidity and body that makes it engaging and incredibly persistent.
Teixeiró Alvarinho 2023 is also a single varietal, representing the unique expression of this grape variety, which, besides being a symbol of the region, reveals fresh, elegant, and inviting notes. With delicate aromas combining stone fruit notes with a citrus touch of grapefruit and tropical nuances, this wine is characterized by complexity and volume on the palate. Its finish is engaging and fresh.
Finally, Teixeiró 2023 is born from the combination of the Avesso, Loureiro, and Alvarinho grape varieties and stands out for its fresh and fruity aroma, with citrus and floral notes. On the palate, it reveals a light and refreshing taste with a persistent and slightly effervescent finish, providing a unique sensory experience. An excellent companion for the hot days ahead.
These three new offerings come from a careful winemaking process, including de-stemmed grape pressing in a pneumatic press and fermentation in stainless steel vats with temperature control. The aging was done in stainless steel vats with light battonage for 4 months. “These wines represent a renewed commitment from Paço de Teixeiró. Three suggestions that accompany and invite great moments, in this case, especially on hotter days,” highlights David Baverstock, Chairman Winemaker at WineStone.
Mafalda Bahia Machado, the winemaker at Paço de Teixeiró, recalls “the pedigree of this house in producing excellent Vinho Verde wines, recognized for the Avesso grape, but offering unique conditions for the production of differentiated Vinho Verde wines that will certainly surprise.”
JNcQUOI ASIA hosts ‘Take Over’ by Michelin-starred Thai Chef Prin Polsuk
19/06/2024From June 19 to 22, JNcQUOI Asia will once again welcome the renowned Thai Chef Prin Polsuk for four days of immersion in some of the dishes that have made him one of the most acclaimed Asian chefs. Famous for reinterpreting traditional Thai recipes using little-known or rarely used oriental ingredients, Chef Prin Polsuk is responsible for the Samrub Samrub Thai restaurant in Bangkok, recognized with 1 Michelin star and ranked 29th in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
After designing the menu for ‘Thai Week’ last year, Chef Prin Polsuk returns to the kitchen at JNcQUOI Asia. This time, the chef brings a new selection of exclusive dishes that include Grilled shrimp with fish sauce and celery seasoning (€25), Grilled chicken skewer with coconut milk and pepper (€15), Razor clam with ash pickle and Thai basil (€31), Fried sea bass stuffed with shrimp paste (€28), and Spicy and sour sea bass soup with lime and coriander (€18) as appetizers.
For main courses, the Thai chef’s menu suggests Grilled monkfish with sweet sauce, fried shallot, and dried chili (€35), Southern crab curry with Vietnamese mint (€48), Southern Muslim curry with beef rib (€30), and Stir-fried lobster with three-flavor sauce and basil (€72). The menu concludes with the proposal of Cassava cake with fresh coconut, coconut cream, and wild pea flower granita (€11) for dessert.
Chef Prin Polsuk’s special menu will be available at JNcQUOI Asia only from June 19 to 22, for lunch and dinner, from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and reservations can be made by phone (21 051 3 000) or by email (book@jncquoiasia.com).