New Casa de Santar Reserve Red Welcomes Autumn

Casa de Santar’s new reserve red wine is now available, making it the perfect companion for the first days of autumn.

The 2017 Casa de Santar Reserve Red boasts an intense garnet color with subtle brownish hues. Its flavor profile is fruity, smooth, balanced, and features a velvety finish. Ideal for pairing with matured cheeses and dishes from Mediterranean, Chinese, Indian, and African cuisines, this wine should be served between 16 and 18°C.

Crafted by winemaker Paulo Prior, this reserve from Casa de Santar is a blend of Touriga Nacional (50%), Alfrocheiro (25%), and Aragonez (25%). Its aroma is intense with notes of wild berries and spices, complemented by nuances of candied red fruits and toast. For those who prefer white wines, the 2021 Casa de Santar Reserve White is also an excellent choice. This fresh, fruity, unctuous, complex, and persistent wine should be served at 10°C. It’s perfect as an aperitif or paired with lightly seasoned dishes featuring fish, grilled white meats, and red meats. With a recommended retail price of €16.00, these Casa de Santar Reserve wines can be found in various wine shops and supermarkets across the country or online at 1990.wine.

Casa de Santar is one of the most iconic brands in the Dão region, and its wines carry a legacy spanning over 200 years. As a regional emblem, Casa de Santar is a benchmark in producing wines that preserve and reflect, in every bottle, a passion for the land, traditions, and the authenticity of grapes harvested from a unique terroir. Recognized both nationally and internationally, Casa de Santar’s wines and sparkling wines carry a centuries-old wisdom and have been praised by leading wine critics. With 103 hectares of vineyards in the Dão region, Casa de Santar’s most renowned plot is the Vinha dos Amores.

Ravasqueira Grande Reserva 2015: A Time-Honored Masterpiece

In Arraiolos, a land steeped in rich tradition and ancestry where the age-old art of tapestry intertwines with nature, a new treasure emerges: the Ravasqueira Grande Reserva Brut Nature 2015. Much like the renowned filigree pieces, this sparkling wine is the result of meticulous artisanal work, where patience and passion converge to create a masterpiece.

Nine years after harvest, this sparkling wine, crafted exclusively from the Alfrocheiro grape, boasts remarkable structure and balance. The extended aging on lees, coupled with rigorous grape selection, lends it a unique creaminess and structure, complemented by vibrant acidity and notes of crystallized fruit and mint.

Ravasqueira finds in the Alfrocheiro grape the potential for wines of great complexity. The small 1.7-hectare plot, cultivated since 2000, offers the ideal conditions for this variety, which expresses itself uniquely in this sparkling wine. “This is a wine we care for with great affection, like a work of art,” says David Baverstock, Chairman Winemaker at WineStone. “The extended aging and rigorous grape selection have allowed us to create a sparkling wine with a sophisticated gastronomic profile, perfect for accompanying special moments,” he concludes.

The Ravasqueira Grande Reserva 2015 is, therefore, a tribute to tradition and innovation. Each bottle tells a story of passion and dedication, reflected in the complexity and elegance of this sparkling wine. Notes of brioche, biscuit, and a persistent fine bubble invite a unique experience. With a limited production of 3,280 bottles, the Ravasqueira Grande Reserva 2015 is a wine for discerning wine lovers.

ODE Winery Unveils New 100% Alvarinho Wine

Vila Chã de Ourique, Santarém, Portugal – The winery, located in Vila Chã de Ourique, has just launched its newest wine – the Ode Alvarinho.

This excellent grape variety from the Vinho Verde region has adapted exceptionally well to the Tejo climate, resulting in a highly gastronomic wine with intense citrus and fruity aromas.

ODE Winery, in Vila Chã de Ourique, has expanded its portfolio to 12 references with the release of the new Ode Alvarinho. This is a gastronomic wine with citrus and fruity aromas such as pineapple, lychee, and lime, supported by notes of lemon thyme and green herbs. An excellent choice to accompany seafood, it also harmonizes well with more elaborate dishes from Southeast Asian, Japanese, and Indian cuisine due to its structure and perfect balance of acidity.

“We are very happy to present Ode Alvarinho, a wine that gave us great pleasure to produce. When we started the Ode wine project, we detected some vines of this variety that were weakened and needed to be recovered. In the first year, we sought to treat and monitor their evolution, which was remarkable, allowing us to produce the 1,500 bottles we now present, of exceptional quality and of which we are very proud. We hope that the vines continue to recover and that we can continue to produce more and better Alvarinho in the Tejo,” says Maria Vicente, winemaker at ODE Winery.

The grapes for Ode Alvarinho were selected and hand-harvested, then fermented and aged for 5 months in 500-liter Hungarian oak barrels. The wine has excellent aging potential in the bottle, continuing to gain complexity over the next 10 years. It has already been awarded three gold medals internationally at the Portugal Wine Trophy 2024, Vinarium International Wine Contest, and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, respectively, and a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge. It has also been recognized in the domestic market, winning Grand Gold at the Cidades do Vinho Competition and Gold at the XIV Vinhos do Tejo Competition.

To mark the launch of this new wine on August 1st, Alvarinho Day, ODE Winery will be hosting a special presentation at restaurants and bars in various locations across the country, giving customers the opportunity to taste this wine firsthand. There will be several locations participating in this initiative*, from north to south of the country, such as the restaurants Hikadashi (Lisboa), Boubou’s (Lisboa), O Balcão (Santarém), o Pátio da Graça (Santarém), Euskalduna (Porto), MISTU (Porto), or the bars Black Sheep (Lisboa), Imprensa (Lisboa) and Bago Wine Bar (Faro).

Ode Alvarinho has a recommended price of €31 and joins the 11 existing ODE references: the white wines Ode Semillon, Ode Viognier, Ode Fernão Pires, Ode Arinto, Ode Enóloga Arinto Fernão Pires; the Ode Rosé and the red wines Ode Touriga Nacional, Ode Quarteto, Ode Lagares Touriga Nacional, Ode Amphora Alicante Bouschet, Ode Única Touriga Nacional. It can be purchased online at Shop – ODE Winery, or at the Cellar Door restaurant, located at the winery, and soon in wine shops across the country.

Quinta de Chocapalha Unveils New Image to Honor Tradition

At the end of the 1980s, Paulo Tavares da Silva, a former Navy Commander, traded the sea for the land and put down roots on a centuries-old estate together with his wife Alice and their two daughters. Here he found a house to live in, built in the 18th century, and 45 hectares of vineyards to replant: thus began the family project. It was only later, in the new millennium, that the Tavares da Silva family began to vinify the grapes from the oldest plots. Since then, the Quinta de Chocapalha references have become icons in the Lisbon Wines region, where the project is located, and beyond.

With the aim of celebrating tradition, the sense of antiquity, and the importance of family, the Quinta de Chocapalha Tinto 2020 and Quinta de Chocapalha Branco 2023 wines are now on the market with a new image. Labels that reflect the historical legacy of the property from which the references come and the family ties that are at their origin.

Both flagship wines of the estate, with origins in the family’s plots, home to the main native grape varieties, the duo represents the essence of Quinta de Chocapalha, which is why they are the focus of a new look that takes advantage of one of the most cherished corners of the property by the Tavares da Silva family. The new labels bear the signature of Rita Rivotti and seek to represent the aforementioned triad of values. The porch of the 18th-century house is drawn in black and white, and highlighted – a place of choice on the property, it was (and is) the stage for great family celebrations, from weddings and baptisms to gatherings with old friends.

The architecture so characteristic of Quinta de Chocapalha is portrayed in detail in this new labeling, be it the traditional tiled roof, or the wooden lintels of the door and windows, without neglecting the vegetation that surrounds the property. Of particular note is the tree, Pérsea Indica, over 300 years old, whose height and robustness casts a delicate shadow that cools the porch. As the patron saint of Quinta de Chocapalha is Our Lady of Conception, she is present in a tile panel as old as the house, dating back to 1875.

The black and white hatching of the label aims to reconcile the old and the new, to portray the past and project the future. To accompany the image, the bottle has also undergone changes: now more traditional and shorter, like the style used when wine production began in Chocapalha.

In addition to the rebranding that Quinta de Chocapalha is doing on all the labels in the Quinta wine range, the family company logo also appears with a novelty. It now refers to the year 1875, a date associated with the construction of the house at Quinta de Chocapalha, where the Tavares da Silva family now resides, reinforcing the history and spirit of tradition of the project.

The month of July thus marks the arrival on the market of Quinta de Chocapalha Branco 2023 and Quinta de Chocapalha Tinto 2020, both with the new image, both created by winemaker Sandra Tavares da Silva. If the white is the result of the balance between the Viosinho, Arinto, and Verdelho varieties, the red is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Castelão, Alicante Bouschet, and Touriga Franca. The first has a bright and intense color, with a nose marked by citrus, floral, and lychee notes, characteristics that are reflected in a markedly fresh wine, with an interesting acidity and a persistent finish. The second, a blend of all native varieties, shows a violet hue, with notes of ripe black fruit and spices mixed with floral hints – on the palate, it is elegant and fresh, with a long and elegant finish.

Quinta de Chocapalha Branco 2023 is the portrait of freshness, elegance, and lightness, while Quinta de Chocapalha Tinto 2020, produced since the first vintage, is the reflection of history. The duo, so cherished by the Tavares da Silva family, serves as a stage for a commemorative image of a surely timeless legacy.

Quinta de Lemos Opens its Doors for Harvest with Exclusive Wine and Gastronomy Experiences

Throughout the month of September, Quinta de Lemos, nestled in the historic Dão region, invites wine enthusiasts to participate in its Harvest Program, offering an immersive experience into Portugal’s winemaking traditions. In Silgueiros, Viseu, visitors can experience the bustling harvest season, with wine and olive oil tastings, regional snacks, and guided tours of the vineyards and winery.

Winemaker Hugo Chaves emphasizes that “the superior quality of Quinta de Lemos wines is the result of hard work, but also of this unique Dão terroir and the region’s indigenous grape varieties.” During the Harvest Program, participants will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these grapes – Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz – and learn about the process that culminates in the annual production of 100,000 bottles of excellent wines, produced sustainably.

In addition to actively participating in harvest activities, visitors can taste the single-varietal Jaen, the Dona Santana blend, the Gégé Rosé sparkling wine, and olive oils from the Galega, Cobrançosa, and Arbequina varieties, paired with snacks like Serra cheese and codfish cakes. To make the experience even more memorable, there is the option of booking a dinner at the Mesa de Lemos restaurant, awarded a Michelin Star, where Chef Diogo Rocha presents menus that exalt Portuguese gastronomy.

The program, available Monday through Friday throughout September, costs €100 per adult, with discounts for children. Reservations must be made in advance, ensuring a unique and personalized experience that celebrates the best of the Dão and Portuguese winemaking tradition. Reservations: [endereço de email removido] / Online: https://quintadelemos.com

Quinta da Lagoalva debuts Pet Nat sparkling wine

A wine producer for 136 years, Quinta da Lagoalva – owned by the Holstein Campilho family and one of the largest and oldest estates in the Tejo wine region – has always been innovative in creating new references, some of which were pioneers in the region and even in Portugal, such as the Syrah single varietal. With a very consistent portfolio and two decades of oenology at Quinta da Lagoalva, Pedro Pinhão – and winemaker Luís Paulino – are now betting on a Pet Nat sparkling wine, a “out-of-the-box” wine and very appealing to a younger and more relaxed consumer profile.

Pet Nat is the abbreviation of Pétillant Naturel, which translates to a winemaking style that falls into the sparkling wine category, but where the wine is bottled before fermentation is complete, leaving room for the release of CO2, which leads to the existence of natural gas (effervescence). Quinta da Lagoalva conducted its first experimentation with this wine profile in the last harvest.

With DOC Tejo certification, the Lagoalva Espumante Pet Nat white 2023 (€9.90) follows the same logic as the Quinta da Lagoalva Reserva Bruto sparkling wine in terms of the predominance of Arinto in the blend (80%). In this case, the remaining 20% is from the queen grape of the Tejo wine region, the white Fernão Pires, both planted in alluvial soils on the banks of the Tagus River.

In terms of vinification, after pressing the grapes, the must clarified by flotation ferments in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 16°C. Almost at the end of fermentation (around 1012 density), the wine, still cloudy, is bottled, finishing fermentation in the bottle with lees. After a 9-month stage in the bottle, this Pétillant Naturel is launched on the market. A cloudy wine with a citrus color, which reveals notes of lemon and grapefruit on the nose. On the palate, it is dry, fresh and has a vibrant acidity, a result of the choice of the Arinto grape. To be consumed at 8 to 10°C, as an aperitif, to accompany salads and other light dishes, but also some cheeses and sausages.

Harvest at Adega da Vidigueira

The Adega da Vidigueira’s Harvest Program runs until September 20, 2024, and offers a 6-hour experience that includes: vineyard tours, hands-on grape harvesting, a traditional mid-morning snack (bucha) in the vineyard, a tour of the winery facilities, a guided winemaking process, and a gourmet lunch with wine tasting at Casa das Talhas.

Experience the joy of harvesting grapes alongside local winemakers and learn the art of traditional winemaking. Enjoy a mid-morning break with a regional snack featuring local delicacies such as Vidigueira bread, black pig sausage, cheeses, olives, and crackling. After the snack, delve into the heart of winemaking with a tour of the winery and a guided explanation of the winemaking process. Conclude your experience with a delightful lunch paired with regional wines at Casa das Talhas. Each participant will receive a complimentary bottle of wine and a hat. The full program costs €75 per person. To book, visit the winery’s website here.

Yoga at Torre de Palma: Restoring Body and Mind

Torre de Palma, nestled in the heart of Alto Alentejo, is thrilled to announce the arrival of yoga classes led by experienced instructor Heidi Dyer. These sessions are available in both private and group formats, catering to the unique needs and preferences of each practitioner.

Awaken your senses and rejuvenate your body and mind with Torre de Palma’s new yoga program. With over two decades of experience, Heidi has guided countless individuals on their journeys of self-discovery and authentic expression. Combining movement, relaxation, and meditation, her sessions are suitable for all levels and can be tailored to meet individual goals.

Heidi, who holds an MFA in Dance and is a Certified Yoga Therapy Teacher, currently resides in Alto Alentejo where she embraces the region’s serene and authentic lifestyle. Her advanced training in Yin and Restorative Yoga ensures a deeply enriching and revitalizing experience for all participants.

Yoga classes at Torre de Palma will be available starting May 19th and require advance booking. For more information or to schedule your session, please contact reservas@torredepalma.com, call +351 245 038 890, or WhatsApp +351 936 004 264.

José Maria da Fonseca Refreshes the Image of its Iconic 20-Year-Old Moscatel Roxo

Dalva Unveils New Vintage of Premium White Wine Metamorfose

Seven years after the launch of the Dalva Metamorfose 2014, Dalva continues its premium wine range with the arrival of Metamorfose Douro Branco 2019. Metamorfose means change, transformation in the development process, a phenomenon that requires time and patience. This is what we witness in both the butterfly, the human being, and also in wine. This second Dalva Metamorfose is an example of this.

Signed by winemaker José Manuel Sousa Soares, it is a wine made with traditional white grapes from the Douro Demarcated Region, coming from a century-old vineyard located in Sabrosa, subsequently enriched by fermentation and eight months of aging in used 300-liter Hungarian oak barrels. The Dalva Metamorfose Douro Branco 2019 stands out for its delicate and fresh aroma and flavor. On the nose, the presence of citrus fruits, with some stone fruit, and a touch of white flowers stands out. On the palate, it reveals expressive acidity and minerality, providing an enveloping taste with a long finish. Ideal to accompany medium-intensity cheeses, as well as seafood, fatty fish or white meats.

With only 1600 bottles available and a retail price of €35, the Dalva Metamorfose Douro Branco 2019 will be available in the main wine shops in the country, restaurants, online store www.granvinhos.pt, and at the GranVinhos group’s wine tourism locations.