Quinta da Côrte launches TNX DOC DOURO 2021
16/11/2023In the year of celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Quinta da Côrte, in Valença do Douro, presents the “TNX DOC Douro 2021”, the first wine in what will become a collection of special editions from Quinta da Côrte, consisting of monovarietal references of excellence, to be produced in unique years, using grapes from the best plots of the farm, carefully selected by Marta Casanova, winemaker and general director of the project. Named “TNX” (Touriga Nacional in Schist), this monovarietal not only pays homage to the grape variety used in its creation, Touriga Nacional, considered the “queen of grape varieties”, planted in shale soil, the unique terroir of Quinta da Côrte, as well as marking a decade of history of the Douro producer, a special region classified by UNESCO as World Heritage.
This new premium reference was created following a batch tasting during which Marta Casanova and the French consultant Stéphane Derenencourt, responsible for the oenology of DOC Douro wines, noticed that there was a totally different wine, which stood out from the others. A 100% Touriga Nacional wine, one of the noblest Portuguese grape varieties, in schist soil, originating from a specific plot of Quinta da Côrte, 504, which faces north, and which was planted in the 70s. After the surprising barrel tasting, Stéphane Derenencourt, consultant at Derenoncourt Consultants, created the motto for the wine from this vintage and variety to become a special reference, and a collection, in homage to the territory that saw its birth. The TNX DOC Douro 2021 reflects the work done by the producer’s team, and also the entire philosophy and essence of this very specific – and unique – terroir of Quinta da Côrte.
«This is a very special moment for us, for the entire Quinta da Côrte team. In the year in which we celebrate 10 years of this project that I am proud to direct, several high quality wines have been presented to the market, as well as our first organic olive oil, but this wine, the TNX DOC Douro 2021,, created together with the consultancy of Stéphane Derenencourt, is a very special product and project, which inaugurates a collection of very exclusive monovarieties that we intend to launch only in unique years, as was the case in 2021, the harvest year of this Touriga Nacional that we now present, and which marks this year of celebrations in the best possible way, as well as representing our tribute to this grape variety, on shale soils, so typical of our region, and particularly of our Quinta’s terroir”, says Marta Casanova, winemaker and general director of Quinta da Côrte. «This moment became even more special with the fact that we had the presence of Philippe Austruy, owner and promoter of this magnificent adventure that has been producing wines here at Quinta da Côrte, in the presentation in which it was possible to bring together the entire Quinta family da Côrte, on an unforgettable day, in which many were present, and witnessed the essence of this project, the essence of Quinta da Côrte», he adds.
The choice of this harvest to produce TNX is due to the fact that 2021 was, in general, an atypical and surprising year. If, on the one hand, there were records of previous years, which were very hot and dry, characterized by the growing impact of climate change, this year turned out to be one of the coolest during the vine’s growth cycle and during the harvest. The heat waves that have become a habit in the Douro did not occur and it ended up being a cool and mild summer. Therefore, there was no need to rush the cutting of the grapes due to signs of dehydration or water stress, but rather to slow down, which allowed the plants to make the most of the water available in the soil.
After the harvest, which began on September 14, 2021, manual selection followed. All viticulture is precision, done by hand, surgically, plot by plot, berry by berry, always aiming for maximum quality. Most of Quinta da Côrte’s vineyards and plots are recorded through an application, which allows the entire cycle to be monitored with very specific parameters, namely grape variety, exposure, climate, density, temperatures, among others. In the winery, the philosophy is always that of minimal intervention, and by gravity, as designed by Pierre Yovanovitch and Marta Casanova. This single variety aged for 24 months in 500l French oak barrels until bottling in mid-September 2023
Ready for tasting, TNX reveals a variety of aromas on the nose, from black fruit and enveloping chocolate, to spicy notes and floral touches. In the mouth it presents a great balance between structure and complexity, with a skillfully integrated acidity, which highlights its fruity richness and depth of mouth. This is a wine that stands out for its elegance, representing the pure expression of Touriga Nacional on shale soils. The suggestion for pairing is hot and comfort dishes, such as pork loin with pumpkin puree, roast beef with roast potatoes.
To mark its 10th anniversary as a wine producer under its own name, Quinta da Côrte has been developing several initiatives throughout the year, under the motto of the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire – all they are linked in some way to the world of wines, and to the universe of Quinta da Côrte. The launch of TNX DOC Douro 2021 celebrates the TERRA element, by highlighting this very specific terroir, with 26 hectares of vineyards, of which more than half are made up of old vines, which allowed the excellence of this Touriga Nacional.
Alongside the initiatives that aim to celebrate 10 years of wine production in this old Douro farm, which dates back to the mid-18th century, Quinta da Côrte has its eyes firmly set on the future, and a clear vision of the potential that the terroir has for that there is still a lot of history to write, a lot of ink to flow and a lot of red (and not only…!) to taste, the result of this Douro that still has a lot to tell.
Limited edition, with only 658 bottles, numbered, in magnum format (1.5l) – which provides a better evolution in the bottle -, the TNX DOC Douro 2021 is on sale (RRP €450.00) in some wine stores and stores specialty, in Portugal and abroad.
Churchill’s announces new harvests
14/11/2023This week, Churchill’s presented the new harvests of its Churchill’s Estates Grafite and Quinta da Gricha Douro wines. Founded in 1981 by winemaker Johnny Graham, who represents the 5th generation of his family to produce Douro wine, Churchill’s establishes itself as an emblematic Portuguese, family and independent wine producer.
Churchill’s Estates Grafite Red 2020 arrives on the market, the brand’s interpretation of an elegant and classic red wine from the Douro. With around 30% of the batch aged for 12 months in French oak casks, this wine presents aromas of flowers and dark wild fruits, with soft tannins and a touch of spice in the finish.
Also from the Churchill’s Estates Grafite line, Touriga Nacional and Grande Reserva 2015 are now launched. Churchill’s Estates Grafite Touriga Nacional is an intense and complex wine in the mouth, with aromas of wild basil and notes of fresh green peppers and spices, which reflects well the freshness that characterizes Churchill’s wines. Churchill’s Estates Grande Reserva is produced from old vines in the Douro region. A robust and complex wine with dark fruit flavors, supported by firm tannins and well-integrated notes of aging in wood. It is a wine with excellent aging potential. The Churchill’s Estates Grafite line is produced with indigenous grape varieties from the Douro region, with the aim of expressing the unparalleled richness of this extreme and unique terroir in the world. The name graffiti is a tribute to the artistic signature of the winemakers, who are dedicated to producing these wines in the most natural way possible.
Also anticipating its arrival on the market, the brand presented Quinta da Gricha 2020. Produced exclusively with grapes from Quinta da Gricha, this wine expresses the unique characteristics of this ‘terroir’. Quinta da Gricha is the home of Churchill’s in the Douro, in the heart of Cima Corgo. With mills dating back to 1852, and benefiting from a north-facing exposure, Gricha produces wines where power and structure merge with the wildest character and beauty of the ‘terroir’. The signature profile of Gricha wines is the vibrant combination of freshness, minerality and natural acidity.
Taking advantage of the occasion, the house’s winemaker Ricardo Pinto Nunes spoke of a very intense 2023 harvest, but with great expectations for the results of the wines that are now aging. «At Churchill’s we started harvesting on August 23rd, with Douro wines. The grapes for Port wine began to enter the cellar on September 1st. At the beginning we had very hot and stable weather, but during the month of September we had periods of intense rain that forced the cutting rhythm to be constantly adapted depending on climatic instability», explains the winemaker. «But the truth is that we are very excited about the potential of the wines this year, especially those harvested before the second wave of heavier precipitation».
The new harvests of Churchill’s Estates Grafite and Quinta da Gricha wines hit the market in November and can be found in restaurants, specialized wine stores or in Churchill’s wine tourism spaces.
Quinta de Chocapalha launches Arinto Antigo
10/11/2023With a deep respect for ancestral methods, representative of traditions that persist to this day, the newcomer Quinta de Chocapalha Arinto Antigo was born. The new reference for the already emblematic family project, in the Alenquer area, represents a return to its origins in a region where Arinto speaks loudest.
Coming from old vines, over 30 years old, and exposed to the north, the single variety from the 2020 harvest is the result of a long experimental period led by winemaker Sandra Tavares da Silva, daughter of the producer couple Alice and Paulo Tavares da Silva, who sought to explore the versatility of the white grape variety, giving it the stage it deserves.
The return to the origins, taking into account the winemaking legacy of the Lisbon Wine region, translates into a white wine whose fermentation took place for 28 days at low temperatures, with skin maceration or tanning, with the process ending in used French oak barrels. The aging took place in the same barrels for 24 months and in contact with the fine lees, a period to which was added another 12 months of aging in the bottle.
The dedication, both in the vineyard and in the winemaking process, resulted in a golden-colored white, with an intense and complex nose, marked by notes of petroleum, quince and flint, and in the mouth the enormous freshness and density that they go hand in hand with a texture punctuated by balanced and persistent tannins. At the moment of parting, the very long finish remains, with the structured acidity standing out and making a case for future memory.
Arinto Antigo, the house’s most recent reference, never ceases to be a tribute to the grape that is chosen by this family project – for example, the first Arinto harvest dates back to 2008. The respective launch also takes place at a time when Quinta de Chocapalha celebrates 10 years of existence as a modern winery with straight lines, built in the wine-growing landscape of Alenquer to blend in and get lost in the landscape.
Casa do Forno at Torre de Palma Wine Hotel brings together 2 Chefs and 1 Perfumer in the 7th Edition: Miguel Laffan, André Nunca Cordeiro & Lourenço Lucena
09/11/2023Join the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, on November 19th, for another family, intimate and comfortable lunch with Torre de Palma wines. The resident Chef, Miguel Laffan invited two other chefs to join him in the kitchen. Miguel Laffan discovered the beauty of the natural landscapes, meadows and castles in Alentejo, which inspired him to win the first Michelin star in this region. This strong connection and knowledge of the Alentejo led him to create PALMA – a family experience, of sharing and well-being in which the genuineness and generosity of the land is what stands out. There, in Alto Alentejo, he found local producers with great passion, around homemade sausages, pure cheeses, or carefully selected pasture animals, and thus PALMA by Miguel Laffan was born, at the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel.
Chef André Nunca Cordeiro, who will also dedicate himself to this lunch, graduated from the French school and inspired by the world, owns the Essencial Restaurant in Lisbon, a minimalist project, where the decoration is stripped of excess and the dishes are simple, in order to leave shine the “star” ingredient of each one. Lourenço Lucena is the only Portuguese member of the French Society of Perfumers. By arguing that we should pay more attention to what we see, hear and feel, he prefers to say that he is a sensorialist. He has the gift of knowing how to combine things harmoniously. In the perfumes he creates, he combines aromas. In the projects he signs, he coordinates the different arts. At 50 years old, Lourenço Lucena has already organized dinners with menus tailored to an odor, created perfumes for brides in Santo António and, recently, developed another for the Belcanto restaurant, the two Michelin Star by José Avillez – in addition to having his Acqua di Portokáli, inspired by Algarve oranges.
For more information and bookings, contact us by email reservas@torredepalma.com or 245 038 890. Places are limited and subject to reservation.
Adega da Vidigueira with lively wine tourism program
07/11/2023In November, wine month is celebrated in Vidigueira. Throughout the month, the winery offers a discovery of knowledge from other times, an immersive journey through the genuine Alentejo, devoid of pretensions. The main theme is the opening of the wine cellars and the tasting of new wine. Carved wine, produced with grapes from centuries-old vineyards, the oldest in the area, is the center of attention, as it is produced using a technique developed by the Romans and brought to Portugal two thousand years ago, becoming a symbol largest in Alentejo.
The program throughout the month is varied, with four highlights: On November 4th, the festivities begin with the opening of the wine tourism space in Vila de Frades, Taberna dos Arcos. On this day, at 5pm, the opening of the oldest wine cellar, dating from 1656, stands out. To the sound of Alentejo songs from the Choral Group of the Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito, the new wine will be served, accompanied by regional snacks.
On November 11th at 6pm, the traditional Magusto de São Martinho will take place at Casa das Talhas. On November 14th, World Wine Tourism Day is celebrated, which falls on the 2nd Sunday of November. On this special day, all visits to Casa das Talhas and tastings of talhas wine are free. On November 18th, as part of the 20th Edition of the Enóphilo Wine Fest, which will take place in Porto, the winery will have a special tasting: «Flavor with history: Vinho de Talha DOC Alentejo», where it will be possible to taste a restricted selection of wines made with this ancestral method.
Taberna dos Arcos will be open every weekend, between November 4th and 10th
December, at the following times: Friday, from 6pm – 10pm, Saturday from 11am – 10pm and
Sunday from 11am – 8pm. There are always regional snacks ready to serve and every Saturday a different choral group to entertain and make this visit even more special. Throughout the month, it is still possible to reserve Casa das Talhas for group carving opening events.
Chestnuts and New Wine Tasting at Quinta de Santa Cristina
06/11/2023To enjoy the S. Martinho summer, Quinta de Santa Cristina celebrates the Magusto tradition, where roast chestnuts are eaten and new red wine is tasted. The event will take place on November 11, 2023, at 3 pm, at Quinta de Santa Cristina – Rua de Santa Cristina, 80 – Veade, 4890-573 Celorico de Basto.
The activity will begin with a guided tour of the winery, in which participants will be able to learn about the winemaking process from the grape reception area, through the traditional stone presses, through the vats and fermentation area, ending in the bottling and labeling area.
After learning about the production process, a regional snack will follow, consisting of cornbread, ham, chorizo, cheese, jam, patties, cod fritters, breaded bread and, of course, the usual chestnuts roasted over the traditional fire. To accompany it, visitors will be able to help themselves to new red wine directly from the vat and other Quinta de Santa Cristina wines already bottled.
The price of the activity is 15 euros per adult, 8 euros for young people aged 5 to 17 and free for children up to 4 years old. Registration is mandatory and must be completed by November 10, 2023 on our website: https://www.quintadesantacristina.pt/enoturismo
Other contacts: E-mail: enoturismo@quintadesantacristina.pt; Telephone: +351 912 527 396 (Call to national mobile network)
In the month of S. Martinho, go to the winery and taste the wine in Torre de Palma
02/11/2023On São Martinho Day, November 11th, at 4pm, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel invites wine tourists to sit around the bonfire to celebrate magusto with chestnuts, wine and snacks. The menu includes:
Roasted Chestnuts, Alentejo Bread in a Wood Oven, Cheese and Sausage Boards, Meat Ball, Torre de Palma Wines.
Offer is subject to availability and pre-booking. For more information and reservations, contact Torre de Palma Wine Hotel by email reservas@torredepalma.com or phone +351 245 038 890 or WhatsApp +351 936 004 264.
Marquês de Borba: new harvests of a great Alentejo classic arrive on the market
31/10/2023To toast the rentrée, producer João Portugal Ramos suggests the most recent harvests of two wines belonging to one of his most emblematic brands – the Marquês de Borba Colheita white 2022 and the Marquês de Borba Colheita red 2021. The Marquês de Borba brand combines Alentejo tradition with enormous quality, present since the first harvest in 1997, having become, over the years, an unavoidable symbol of the region and ambassador outside the doors of Alentejo wines. Today, it is present in more than 40 countries.
Coming from the Arinto, Antão Vaz and Viognier grape varieties, the Marquês de Borba Colheita white 2022, featured a manual harvest, where the grapes were harvested early in the morning, into small boxes, with the aim of preserving freshness, and then cooled in a chamber refrigerator before being vinified. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with temperature control. With an open citrine color, the aroma also highlights citrus notes with a slight minerality. In the mouth, it has a good structure with well-marked and balanced acidity, with a long finish. Regarding pairing suggestions, this white wine can be served as an aperitif or to accompany fish, vegetarian, egg and salad dishes.
Marquês de Borba Colheita red 2021 is the result of a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, Petit Verdot and Merlot grape varieties. With manual and mechanical harvesting, in the winemaking process, the grapes were de-stemmed, crushed and cooled. After pre-fermentation maceration, part of the grapes were fermented in marble lagares and the rest in stainless steel vats with controlled temperature. The internship took place for six months in second and third year French and American oak half barrels. In the glass, it presents an excellent aromatic concentration. It is an intense fruity red, with aromas of blackberries, cassis and jams. Its tannins are soft and it has a good balance between fruit, acidity and tannins.
The iconic line of wines also includes the references Marquês de Borba Vinhas Velhas Red, Marquês de Borba Vinhas Velhas White, Marquês de Borba Espumante Rosé, Marquês de Borba Late Harvest and, finally, Marquês de Borba Reserva.
Now available on the market, the pair of wines are for sale in specialized wine stores from North to South of the country and on the Horeca channel. It is on sale everywhere, including supermarkets from north to south.
José de Sousa invites you to go to the “Adega to taste the wine, in the month of São Martinho”
30/10/2023“On São Martinho’s Day, go to the winery and taste the wine” is the program that Adega José de Sousa proposes for the entire month of November. Because tradition must be maintained and fulfilled, this winery, located in the Alentejo plains of Reguengos de Monsaraz, invites its visitors to taste new wine, vinified in the wine cellars, and two other wines produced by José de Sousa, accompanied by tasting some of the regional products, including chestnuts, of course, or if this weren’t the month of Saint Martin.
Watch the complete program of Adega José de Sousa and “Go to the Cellar and Taste the Wine”:
Dates: November 1st to 30th 2022, at 11am or 3pm
Minimum 2 people and maximum 16 people
The program includes:
– Guided tour;
– Tasting of new wine;
– Tasting of 2 wines (Monte da Ribeira White and Puro Talha Red);
– Tasting of regional products: sheep cheese, sausages, Alentejo bread and olive oil.
– “São Martinho Kit” offer: a bottle of wine and a small bag of chestnuts to roast at home for every two people.
Price per person: €26
Price per child: €7.50
Price per family (2 adults + 2 children): €60
(includes tasting of 2 juices and gift box of pencils and drawings for children)
Reservations:
Tlm: +351 918 269 569 / Whatsapp available: +351 918 269 569
Email: josedesousa@jmfonseca.pt
Abreu Advogados recognized internationally
26/10/2023Abreu Advogados, one of APENO’s main partners (and which has greatly supported the fight for legislation for Wine Tourism), was one of the winners of the Financial Time Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2023, which took place recently in London.
In a ceremony that rewarded the most innovative and disruptive projects and companies in Europe, Abreu Advogados received the ‘Innovation in Skills Development” award for the work developed by the Abreu Advogados Knowledge Institute, led by Professor Luís Barreto Xavier.
Founded in 2012, the Knowledge Institute is one of the first knowledge centers incubated in a law firm and is one of the most important milestones in Abreu Advogados’ strategy. The company’s mission is to be an innovative society open to the community, which is why it believes that the production and sharing of relevant knowledge is fundamental, which is done through collaboration with companies, universities, research centers and other institutions.
This morning, the FT Law Firm Index 2023 was also published, where Abreu occupies the 16th position in the ranking, thus becoming the most innovative company operating in Portugal, according to the annual survey that gives rise to the Financial Times ranking, which highlighted the 50 most innovative law firms in Europe.
«These are results that we are very proud of, especially in the year in which we complete our 30th anniversary, and to which we owe, in the first instance, to our Customers and Partners, who trust us and challenge us daily to do more and better, and to our people, who put all their energy and knowledge at the service of clients, in the search for solid and disruptive solutions in each project» says the Abreu Advogados statement. And he concludes: «Our mission is to put the future into practice, anticipating challenges and implementing the necessary changes, so despite the great pride we feel when we look at the past, we know well the responsibility that this award entails and we are even more focused on prepare what is to come, with determination, ambition, audacity and humanism».