Our Wines

Portugal

Producers & Wines, Portugal

Dao Sul, Carregal do Sal :

Dao Sul has grown in the past few years to become one of Portugal's most dynamic wine producers, encompassing small boutique wineries as well as large scale production of high quality commercial wines. The company started life in the Dao, where most of the operations are still based, but they now produce wines from the Alentejo, Bairrada , Estemadura and Douro. Continued growth has seen the acquisition of several traditional quintas. The company has also recently built a strikingly modern winery with restaurant in the heart of the Bairrada. Strong design values also apply to the presentation of the wines, with their attractive modern labels.

Estremadura: This region is home to the Cortello label, a great pair of high quality good value wines. The white is an aromatic and fruity blend while the red is a full-bodied blend of Castelao and Tinta Roriz. The presentation is smart and modern.

Douro: Dao Sul operates at two quintas in the famous Douro valley. Quinta das Tecedeiras is situated at Ervedosa in the heart of the Douro. Until a few years ago, most of the fruit went to Taylors and was used for vintage port. In 2001, the first table wines were produced. The vines are over 90 years old, with a whole range of varieties mixed in together on an 'A' grade strip of vineyard strip on the banks of the river. The grapes undergo traditional foot-treading and then 10 months in barrique. Quinta de Sa de Baixo is home to the Palestra label; this is a good value and well-produced wine.

Bairrada: Dao Sul has recently completed a brand-new winery in this very traditional wine-growing area. The circular building is an eye-catching statement of Dao Sul's philosophy of combining the best of Portuguese tradition with the latest modern technology. The blends from this area are predominantly based on the Baga variety, with some Touriga Nacional in the blend, and sometimes some dashes of Merlot.

Alentejo: Terra Plana is the latest addition to the portfolio. It's a soft, juicy red with soft oak and attractive ripe fruit. This is a well-priced example of what makes the Alentejo such a successful and popular region.

Quinta da Lagoalva de Cima, Alpiarça, Ribatejo

The Campilho family has extensive farming interests in the Ribatejo; wine is just part of their business, but Diogo is now concentrating most of his time on this while father Manuel oversees the rest of the enterprises. Diogo has polished his winemaking skills during various harvest stints in Australia's Hunter Valley. The estate was a pioneer in the region in planting Syrah in the Ribatejo. Quinta da Lagoalva also receives stagiaires from overseas which further broadens the international outlook of the estate. The result is a range of wines which are recognisably Portuguese, but are very approachable to palates which have not grown up with the sometimes 'difficult' domestic styles. This philosophy is reflected in the presentation of the wines; many of the labels have been redesigned to give a smart new look. Lagoalva Branco and Tinto are a pair of good value well-made wines; the white is much fresher than many Portuguese equivalents, and the red has a juicy ripe fruitiness. The estate also makes, unusually for this area a pure Alfrocheiro which we have championed since we began working together in 1999. This is a native grape to Dao, but it seems to work well in these sandy soils. The 2006 was chosen as one of the 50 Great Portuguese wines last year, but unfortunately none was made in 2007. The 2008 has now finally arrived to complete the line-up.

We also have a very good olive oil from Lagoalva.  It's produced from a Tuscan olive variety which was planted several generations ago when an Italian bride married into the family.

Filipa Pato, Beiras :

The Pato family is a big name in Portuguese wine, and Filipa's father Luis is one of the best-known producers in the country with a very well-established reputation both at home and abroad. It was probably inevitable, then, that one of his three daughters would be inspired to carry on the family tradition. And perhaps Filipa small son Francisco will carry the flag into the next generation? After her studies in chemistry, she decided to do some travelling and gained wine-making experience in Bordeaux then in Argentina and Australia. Then it was time to head back to Portugal, but to set up on her own, rather than join the family business. She set up long-term rental agreements on vines in the Dao and Bairrada and has quickly established a reputation as one of the brightest and best of the new young bunch of Portuguese winemakers. Most of her wine is sold to the export market and her wines exemplify the best of Portuguese style with a modern approach to structure and balance. Lokal Silex comes from Touriga Nacional and Alfrocheiro grown in the Dao. This was her most exceptional wine to date, but, with regret, she has handed back the vineyard to the owner so 2008 was the last vintage made.  Lokal Calcario is to continue, though, from old Baga from Bairrada; Both Calcario and Silex have featured in the annual selection in recent years. The 3B is a fun pink fizz. It's a blend of three B's: Baga and Bical from the Bairrada. Filipa has also made a wine with her husband William Wouters: Bossa. This is a pure Maria Gomes wine, made in collaboration with the local co-operative. It is dry, but has a slight Muscat note on the nose. "A wine to dance to" says Filipa, hence the name. Finally, a grown up partner to Bossa is Nossa ("ours") again a collaboration between Filipa and William, made from the Bical grape, fermented in 500 litre barrels.

Adega de Monção, Vinho Verde

This co-operative is based in the far north of Portugal near the Spanish border in a region which is dominated by the Alvarinho variety. This is a model operation, with good modern infrastructure and good management, and takes the vast majority of fruit grown in the area. The co-op blends Alvarinho with Trajadura to produce an excellent Vinho Verde. The wines from this region are generally considered to be a little more ripe and complex than the bone-dry style normally associated with Vinho Verde. The wine is relative low in alcohol (only 11%) and is very well-priced.

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