Villa Oliveira Touriga Nacional 2017

The Villa Oliveira cuvée comes from the Dão, in north-central Portugal, from the vineyards of Casa da Passarella. The plots lie around Vila Nova de Tazem, in the Serra da Estrela sub-region, close to the granite hills that shape the landscape. Altitude, cool nights and predominantly granite soils encourage slow ripening of the grapes. This mild Atlantic setting, sheltered by the mountains, gives Touriga Nacional a fresh, structured expression deeply tied to the identity of the great reds of the Dão.

The grapes are harvested by hand and then carefully selected. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, followed by an extended maceration. The wine is then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry, blackcurrant and black plum, alongside floral touches of violet. Ageing brings hints of cedar, vanilla and black pepper, while a note of graphite underlines its mineral character. The palate is broad and dense, with a velvety texture, fresh acidity and ripe, firm yet well-integrated tannins. The long, spicy finish keeps a lovely tension and extends the black fruit with an elegant oaky imprint.

Portugal's rich history is closely bound up with its wines, especially its most famous one, Port. From the ancient cities of Lisbon and Porto to small medieval towns and Roman ruins, the past is still alive in modern Portugal today. A good holiday in the heart of this country, where Port was born, is a unique way to discover Old World culture, the climate, the beautiful countryside and, of course, the delicious wines. Although the history of wine in Portugal goes back to the Romans, it was not until the early 19th century that the wine we know today as Port came into being. Portuguese table wine had been in great demand since the mid-17th century, mainly from the British. To make the rustic Portuguese wines more stable and more pleasant to drink, small amounts of grape spirit were added to the casks before shipping. Eventually, British firms began investing in the region and perfected the process of adding spirit during fermentation rather than after, which preserved the distinctive fruity flavours of the red wine that were unique to Portugal's Douro Valley. In recent years, a small revolution has taken place in the Douro in the development of modern-style dry reds and whites, alongside the very traditional production of Port. Table wines also continue to play an important role. Increased investment, improved viticultural techniques and the modernisation of the industry are producing interesting results. What is unique to Portugal is the very large number (more than 500) of indigenous grape varieties (though some are unpronounceable). Even most wine experts are unfamiliar with the grapes that make Port, Madeira or any other Portuguese wine. Like its neighbour Spain, Portugal has been undergoing a quiet revolution for some twenty years. Its reluctance to follow trends and plant international grape varieties is now paying off, and the new breed of wines full of "terroir effect" and fruit is more than capable of competing on the world stage. The unique flavours of Portugal's indigenous grape varieties have become its trump card. Good news for anyone looking for a change from wines made from the ubiquitous international varieties. The terroir is so diverse. From north to south, east to west, from mountain to maritime vineyards, hot and dry or cool and green. In every style, from vinho verde to Port, from crisp dry whites to elegant reds, in so many different ways, Portuguese wines are unique.