Conclusions of an experiment of single varietal Port Wine
We all know that Port Wine is about blending: different vineyards, pipes, vintages and off course, different varietals. All this with the purpose of having a more complex and harmonious blend. The vineyards of the Douro are planted, since many years ago with a different range of varietals, some well known but others barely recognized. In total we have 80+ varietals in the Douro.
Last harvest I defied my sister Claudia to make a single varietal Port out of 5 different varietal blocks planted in our vineyards. Four of those varietals come from Quinta da Trovisca (Sousão, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz) while the other varietal – Tinto Cão – is planted in a terrace we have in Quinta Vale d’Agodinho. With the help of my friends from the University we dedicated a week-end to collect and tread these grapes. Funny time we had!
Now it is time to evaluate the experiment and to get some conclusions:
#1 – 9 months is nothing when we are talking about Port; any conclusion now is subject to further revision
#2 – Sousão is like that good friend we have far away but that we are sure he will go with us for the rest of our lives; he is not always present, but he’s there when we need him
#3 – Touriga Franca is the team-player, alone doesn’t stand out, but with some collaboration from the other players it organizes and gets the best of all of them
#4 – Touriga Nacional is the cherry on the top of the cake: the pastry could be excellent but the cherry makes it special
#5 – Tinta Roriz is like our mum, she gives us a little bit of all everything we need
#6 – Tinto Cão is like a Madam, likes to wear elegant flower dresses, but can catch a cold with any breeze of oxygen
#7 – No one of these single varietals is good enough to perform a show alone; but with some inspiration we could make a nice orchestra, which in some years may perform a great show
#8 – Blending is fun and you learn a lot; really…
Come over and make your blend!
Oscar
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http://jerezwine.com Justin Roberts
Quevedo was founded in 1991 as a family owned business in the heart of the Douro valley, responding to the needs of the generations that preceded the associate founders. These ancestors were passionately dedicated to their vineyards and to the culture that surrounded the production of wine. Consequently, the company was created as a seamless marriage between the initial phase of production and the promotion and selling of their wines. Currently, the estate is comprised of 100 hectares located in the regions of Cima-Corgo and Douro Superior, producing both red and port wines from only the five traditional port grapes Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Tinta Barroca.