Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Quinta de la Rosa is a beautiful estate located in the Douro and managed by Sophia Berqvist. The family bought the property in 1906 as a christening gift for Claire, Sophia's grandmother. The "douROSA" cuvée is a red wine made from traditional Port varieties, mainly Touriga Nacional, with the remainder being other mixed varieties (Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão). The estate's style is to make well-defined wines without too much extraction, tannins, or oak. Rich and smooth wines that are fresh and lively with good acidity. There is a beautiful complexity with very pleasant aromas of black cherry, blackberries, blackcurrant, cedar, wild herbs, spices, balsamic notes and menthol. The tannins are very smooth and the acidity present, which gives this Douro wine a balanced structure and voluptuousness.
Where are we traveling?
The main region: 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. Although the Douro is best known for its Ports, the region also has a growing reputation for its excellent red and white wines. The wines of the Douro Valley are among the best wines in the world, but they are not very well known. Not only does the Douro Valley produce some of the best, affordable, and underrated Portuguese wines, but it also offers a beautiful and magical landscape. The wine region covers the steep slopes of the banks of the lower course of the river, which is 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 famous Ribera del Duero vineyards before reaching the Portuguese border and becoming the Douro. From there, it crosses the landscape, creating a unique and historic wine region before joining the ocean in Porto. The most unifying feature of the Douro is its mountainous relief, although the region covers a wide range of terroirs with different aspects, altitudes, and soil types. However, the vineyards generally extend over the steep, dry slopes on either side of the river and its countless tributaries, on narrow rocky terraces - a sight that has been classified as a Unesco World Heritage site (an honor for the region).
The sub-region: Cima Corgo
The central part of the Douro region, centered on the village of Pinhão, is known as the Cima Corgo region, from which most high-end Vintage Ports originate. Cima Corgo is the largest of the three Douro sub-regions, accounting for nearly half of the valley's total wine production. The steep vineyards of Cima Corgo are mainly composed of schist with significant granite deposits. Vines closer to the river tend to ripen much earlier than those at higher altitudes, as the river retains heat more easily than the air. This climatic difference means that harvesting is often done in several passes through the same vineyard.
The little history of the country
Portugal
Portugal's rich history is intertwined with its wines, particularly its most famous wine, Port. From the ancient cities of Lisbon and Porto to small medieval towns and Roman ruins, the past is still alive today in modern Portugal. A great vacation in the heart of this country, where Port wines were born, is a unique way to experience Old World culture, climate, beautiful countryside and of course delicious wines. Although the history of wine in Portugal dates back to the Romans, it was not until the early 19th century that the wine we know today as Port came into being. Table wine from Portugal was already in high demand since the mid-17th century, mainly by the British. To make rustic Portuguese wines more stable and palatable, small amounts of brandy were added to wine barrels before shipping. Eventually, British companies began to invest in the region and perfected the process of adding brandy during fermentation, rather than after, which helped preserve the distinctive fruity flavors of red wine that were unique to the Douro Valley region of Portugal. In recent years, a small revolution has occurred in the Douro region in terms of the development of modern style dry red and white wines, alongside the very traditional production of Port wines. Table wines also continue to play an important role. The increase in investments, the improvement of viticultural techniques and the modernization of the industry are producing interesting results. What is unique about Portugal is the very large number (over 500) of indigenous (although sometimes unpronounceable) grape varieties. Even most wine experts aren't familiar with the grapes that produce Port, Madeira, or any other Portuguese wine. Like its neighbor Spain, Portugal has been experiencing a quiet revolution for around twenty years. The 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 are more than capable of competing on the world stage. The unique flavors that characterize Portugal's native grape varieties have become its strength. Good news for those looking for a change from wines made from the ubiquitous international grape varieties. The terroir is so diverse. From north to south, from east to west, from the mountains to the maritime vineyards, hot and dry or cool and green. In every style, from vinho verde to port, from dry, crisp whites to elegant reds, in so many different ways, Portuguese wines are unique.