Stratford Grape Club visit the Vinho Verde
Wine enthusiasts from Stratford Grape Club recently enjoyed their first visit to the Vinho Verde region. Visits were planned with the help of Bruno Almeida of the Rota dos Vinho Verdes Office in Porto.
The idyllic setting of Quinta da Aveleda was first stop. After a saunter through the fantastic gardens, the ‘serious matter’ of tasting began. Winemaker Manuel Soares led us through a range of wines from Aveleda’s wide portfolio. The Follies Alvarinho showed particularly well with its complex floral aromas and long citrus finish on the palate.
At Quinta de Simaens (part of the Borges group) we enjoyed a vineyard tour with their viticulturist who explained that they were the first in Portugal to use a new system of vine training developed in this region called ‘lys’. Riper grapes apparently develop from this system.
Onto the group’s modern production centre at Lixa for a tasting and lunch hosted by Ricardo Campos, Sales Manager. The Quinta de Lixa Loureira was fragrant, had good acidity, and plenty of citrus on the palate. The Quinta de Simaens, a blend of Paderna, Avessa and Trajadura, showed complexity of fruit and at 13.5% makes a serious food wine.
Quinta Lourosa was final visit of the day. This family estate is developing wine tourism and its lovely setting and buildings show why. Joanna de Castro, daughter and winemaker hosted us. In addition to their still wines, three Vinho Verde Espumantes are produced by the traditional method. We tasted the Brut Rosé, a blend of Syrah and Jaen plus other non-specified varieties. It had floral notes, a creamy mousse with good structure and fruit, sufficient to be enjoyed with some lightly spiced food as well as an aperitif.
So a brilliant day and a happy group returned to Porto in the late evening sunshine, now fully familiar with the region’s grape varieties and keen to source wines from this delightful region in the UK. Our thanks to organisers and producers for their generous hospitality.
Hazel Tattersall
21 June 2010
