Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Nestled on the right bank of the Douro River, the Quinta da Romaneira vineyard stretches across steep terraces on schist slopes overlooking the river. Located in the Cima Corgo sub-region, in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley, the estate benefits from a warm continental climate, tempered by the river's influence and the altitude. Planted in poor schist soils, the vines are forced to send their roots deep, producing concentrated grapes that precisely express the identity of this emblematic terroir of northern Portugal.
The grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and then destemmed before a cold pre-fermentation maceration. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit and gently extract color and tannins. After racking and gentle pressing, the wine is transferred to oak barrels for extended aging, some of which are new oak. This allows the structure to be refined, aromatic complexity to develop, and the wine to harmonize before bottling at the estate.
This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , fresh red fruit , and floral hints, enhanced by spicy nuances and subtle oak from barrel aging. On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, supported by firm yet polished tannins and balanced acidity that provides freshness. The texture is velvety, with beautiful concentration and a long, harmonious finish marked by a return of spice and a light mineral touch.
Where are we traveling?
The Douro
The Douro region in northern Portugal is the birthplace of Port wine. It takes its name from the Douro River, which flows from east to west from the Spanish border to Porto, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. While the Douro is best known for its Port wines, the region also has a growing reputation for the excellence of its red and white wines. Douro Valley wines are among the best in the world, yet they remain relatively unknown. Not only does the Douro Valley produce some of Portugal's finest, most affordable, and often overlooked wines, but it also offers a stunning and magical landscape. The wine-growing area covers the steep slopes along the banks of the lower reaches of the river, one of the longest in the Iberian Peninsula. From its source in northern Spain, where it is known as the Duero, it flows through the renowned vineyards of Ribera del Duero before reaching the Portuguese border and becoming the Douro. From there, it traverses the landscape, creating a unique and historic wine region before reaching the ocean at Porto. The Douro's most unifying feature is its mountainous terrain, although the region encompasses a wide range of terroirs with varying aspects, altitudes, and soil types. However, the vineyards generally stretch across the steep, dry slopes on either side of the river and its countless tributaries, on narrow, rocky terraces—a spectacle that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (an honor for the region).
The little history of the country
Portugal
Portugal's rich history is inextricably linked to its wines, especially its most famous, Port. From the ancient cities of Lisbon and Porto to small medieval towns and Roman ruins, the past is still very much alive in modern Portugal. A wonderful holiday in the heart of this country, where Port wines originated, is a unique way to experience Old World culture, the climate, the beautiful countryside, and of course, the delicious wines. Although the history of wine in Portugal dates back to the Romans, it wasn't until the early 19th century that the wine we know today as Port came into being. Portuguese table wine had already been in high demand since the mid-17th century, primarily by the British. To make rustic Portuguese wines more stable and palatable, small amounts of brandy were added to the wine barrels before shipping. Eventually, British companies began investing in the region and perfected the process of adding brandy during fermentation, rather than after, which helped preserve the distinctive fruity flavors of the red wine that were unique to Portugal's Douro Valley. In recent years, a small revolution has taken place in the Douro region in terms of developing modern-style dry red and white wines, alongside the very traditional production of Port wines. Table wines also continue to play an important role. Increased investment, improved winemaking techniques, and the modernization of the industry are yielding interesting results. What is unique to Portugal is the very large number (over 500) of indigenous grape varieties (though some are unpronounceable). Even most wine experts are unfamiliar with the grapes that produce Port, Madeira, or any other Portuguese wine. Like its neighbor Spain, Portugal has been experiencing a quiet revolution for the past two decades. The reluctance to follow trends and plant international grape varieties is now bearing fruit, and the new breed of wines, brimming with terroir and fruit, is more than capable of competing on the world stage. The unique flavors that characterize Portugal's indigenous grape varieties have become its strength. This is good news for those seeking a change from the ubiquitous international grape-based wines. The terroir is so diverse. From north to south, east to west, from mountainous to coastal 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.