Mar 2011
The quality and the projection of
Touriga Nacional
During the “Wines of
Portugal International
Conference”
under
the theme of Touriga
Nacional, that took
place
recently
in
Oporto, important findings came to place
about this Portuguese variety, which
resulted from the discussion that took place on several round
tables, which can be aligned in a systematic way.
a) The variety’s distinction factor
It is a sui generis variety to a red variety. It is in the sensory
aspect that it distinguishes itself from the other varieties. The
floral aromas that are associated to it make it a variety that
stands out when found in a combined state. It’s eclectic,
versatile, that lead to quality sparkling wines, rose wines
marked by color, fresh and elegant or even evolved red wines.
b) Different profiles in different terroirs
It’s a variety with an identity of its own and in a combined state
it stands out the virtues of the other varieties. Because it varies
according to the region, the variety shows a lot of elegance in
some places of the Dão; in Douro, in a combined state, leads to
extraordinary wines; and in other regions of the country there is
not a coexistence of balance between elegance, flavor and
aroma, which requires a serious research and investigation.
c) How to project Touriga Nacional
-One must communicate to the international market its quality
to earn notoriety;
-It’s important that the variety is shown in the label;
-One must produce more wines where the variety is
predominant so it can be used as a flag;
-It’s necessary to better rationalize its personality and
character;
The cloning selection was the factor that allowed the variety’s
development having, however, a lot of work to be done. Thus, it
is necessary to invest in the selection of clones that make
possible a quality improvement in oenology.
The Region - Setúbal Peninsula
The wine region of
Setúbal
Peninsula,
which has as a flag
“Terra Mãe de Vinhos”,
is bounded by the Tejo
Estuary, the Atlantic
Ocean and the Sado
River. With a high
insulation value and
moderate precipitation,
the region has two differentiated areas: the mountain area of
Arrábida, where the clay and calcareous soils are more
oriented to a generous wine (Moscatel de Setúbal); and the
plain area, which occupies 80% of vineyard area where, in
sandy soils, shines the Castelão variety. From its vineyards
result the DOC Palmela wines, the DOC Moscatel de Setúbal
and the Vinho Regional Terras do Sado. The white varieties
that are most planted in the region are: Fernão Pires, Moscatel
de Setúbal, Malvasia Fina, Antão Vaz and Sauvignon Blanc.
On what concerns the red varieties, beyond the Castelão are
the Aragonez, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca,
Tinto Cão and Sirah. The wine tourism component is
particularly strong in the region: the Casa Mãe from Rota of the
Setúbal Peninsula Wines (Vinhos da Península de Setúbal),
headquartered in Palmela, provides six different pathways; and
the Núcleo Museológico of the Wine and the Vineyard, in the
old Herdade de Algeruz, offers the visitor an estate consisting
on machinery and utensils regarding wine production. The
Festa das Vindimas (Harvest Party), in Palmela (September 1
to 6th) and the Festival do Queijo, Pão e Vinho (Cheese, Bread
and Wine Festival) are the most striking festive events where
the wine is the center of attentions.
A journey through Moscatel de Setúbal
The author, a journalist linked to
wines, provides us with this wine
tourism guide a brief history about the
origins of the Moscatel de Setúbal
since the Phoenicians arrival to
Sado’s estuary to the present day;
and leads to the knowledge of the
interesting heritage of the region
itself and its main wine producers of
the Setúbal Peninsula.
Moscatel de Setúbal, o Príncipe dos
Moscatéis
José A. Salvador
Edições Afrontamento, Maio 2010
Events
N e w s
Exports of Portuguese wines grows in 2010
In 2010, the export of Portuguese wines had a growth of
16% in value, reaching 649.10 million Euros. In volume,
the exports reached 2.56 million hl, a growth of 9% when
compared to 2009. Angola is the main destination of
Portuguese wines, followed by the United Kingdom,
France and the United States. A growth of 6% was also
registered in the wine’s medium price, which costs now
2.54 Euros.
Growth of Portuguese wines’ exports to the
United Kingdom and USA deserves
attention by the press
The growth registered in portuguese wines’ exports to the
United Kingdom deserves a reference by Julia Harding in
Jancis Robinson’s website. According to recent data, the
value of exports to that country, in 2010, grew 93.3%
exceeding 18 million Euros. In terms of volume, the growth
was 19.1%, a total of 20 thousand hl. Portugal is now the
10th largest supplier of the country’s wine.
In turn, the exports to the United States, the second
destination of Portuguese wines outside the European
Union, grew 21% in value and 12% in volume. In a recent
article of Wine Enthusiast Magazine on Portuguese wines,
when Roger Voss says that our wines “are friendly, like its
people”, he states that its exports to the USA grew 42%
between 2004 and 2009. And he advises: “Portuguese
wines must be in his new experiences list in 2011”.
Wines from Minho get
good scores internationally
Two wines from Minho - Quinta do Ameal - recently
received excellent scores by two well known international
wine magazines. Thus, the Ameal Escolha Branco 2008
wine received 92 points from the Wine Enthusiast
Magazine and 90 points from the Wine Advocate. The
Ameal Branco 2009 received 90 points from both
magazines.
Wines of Portugal:
Jancis Robinson’s choices
Jancis Robinson, journalist and wine critic, published an
important article about Portuguese wines in the Financial Times
newspaper, on February 5th and scored the 120 wines that were
tasted. Behold the top 6 of whites and the top 6 of reds:
Whites
Esporão Reserva 2007 Alentejo
Luis Pato, Vinhas Velhas 2009 Beiras
Quinta do Ameal, Loureiro 2009 Vinho Verde
Quinta do Feital, Dorado Superior Alvarinho 2007 Monção,
Vinho Verde
Quinta das Maias, Malvasia Fina 2009 Dão
Quinta da Pellada, Primus 2009 Dão
Reds
Niepoort, Batuta 2008 Douro
Quinta da Gaivosa 2005 Douro
Quinta dos Roques, Touriga Nacional 2008 Dão
Quinta da Sequeira 2007 Douro
Quinta do Soque, Vinhas Velhas 2007 Douro
Quinta do Vesuvio Reserva 2007 Douro
(http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/72a5edd4-2e6f-11e0-8733-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1GBz6IsCL)
The Variety Castelão
The Castelão Variety, originated from south
Portugal, is also known as Periquita in the
area of Setúbal Peninsula and as João de
Santarém and Castelão Francês in other
areas of the country. Endowed with great
versatility, it has an excellent ability to adapt to
several forms of conduct and different
environmental conditions. Besides, it develops
better in warm weather and in sandy and dry soils. The
Setúbal Peninsula is its favourite territory since it is in this
area that the best wines of this variety are
produced. With a garnet colour, the wines
produced from the Castelão variety are
concentrated, with well marked tannins and
an intense fruity aroma with notes of
gooseberry and berry fruits. With a great aging
ability, the wines become softer with age and
evolve to notes of jam. The Castelão makes
good
combinations
with
the
Aragonez,
Trincadeira, Moreto and Alicante Bouschet varieties.
San Francisco Grand Tasting – Portuguese wines taste
San Francisco – 07 Abril
Internationals
Prowein - With the presence of portuguese wines
12º Salón del Vino y la Aceituna de Extremadura
Düsseldorf, 27/29 Março
Almendralejo, 6/9 Abril
NYC Grand Tasting – Portuguese wines taste
Expovinis – With the presence of portuguese wines
New York – 04 Abril
São Paulo, 26/28 Abril
www.winesofportugal.info © 2010 Wines of Portugal : Be responsible, drink moderately.
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