Symington launches new red varietal from its vineyard in Portalegre 

Located at the foot of the Serra de S. Mamede, in Portalegre, Quinta da Fonte Souto was, in 2017, the first property acquired by the Symington family outside the Douro demarcated region. In 2019, the project presented the first wines under the Quinta da Fonte Souto brand and, in 2022, launched the first of a series of monovariety wines, Alfrocheiro. This year, the family presents Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet 2018 — the second release from this limited edition wine selection. 

With the intention of bottling the best variety of each harvest, the series of varietal wines by Fonte Souto aims to highlight wines that represent the best that was produced in a given year. In 2018, a batch of vinification from Alicante Bouschet stood out among the other grape varieties on the property, which is why it was bottled individually to become part of this series of limited editions. 

Alicante Bouschet is one of the main dye varieties and has found a terroir at Quinta da Fonte Souto that allows it to express the extraordinary complexity and elegance that characterize the estate’s wines. The altitude and freshness provided by the proximity to the Serra de São Mamede favor the development of the complex and long-lived character, qualities that define this Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet. 

Rupert Symington, CEO of Symington Family Estates, said: “It is with immense pleasure that we present Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet, a wine that illustrates our family’s dedication and commitment to producing outstanding wines, enhancing the unique potential of Quinta da Fonte. Souto and the adaptability of this variety to the terroir of Fonte Souto». 

With this wine, the Symington family wants to continue the path of excellence started by Quinta da Fonte Souto Alfrocheiro, named best Red Varietal Wine in the 2022 edition of the Wines of Portugal Contest. Approximately 6,000 bottles of Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet were produced, which will be available in selected wineries and restaurants starting this month. The recommended PVP of Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Bouschet is 25 euros.