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Kopke, a house specialising in aged tawny and aged white ports, is the oldest established port producer, in existence since 1638. There are special places in the world. Kopke found one of them. Quinta de São Luiz is located on the left bank of the river Douro, near Pinhão, in the parish of Tabuaço. It is an imposing estate, considered one of the most emblematic of the Douro region. The Quinta has gone through two major changes: on the one hand, the construction of the Bagaúste dam, with the consequent rise of the water level and the loss of vineyard land; on the other, the enlargement of the total area with the acquisition of several other properties in the area. The estate is made up of 125 hectares, 90 of which are planted with vines. The main grape varieties grown here are Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão. There are also small plots of Tinta Barroca and Souzão. The vines are classified as A, the highest grade in the Demarcated Region of the Douro. Irresistible with a starter of foie gras with aubergine and walnuts. A great choice for an endless array of desserts, such as toffee brownies, chocolate and pistachio pavé, or crostini of walnuts with chèvre. When teh weather picks up or the height of the Summer, serving this Port slightly chilly is a must.
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Casa Ermelinda Freitas
The warmth of the Portuguese sun is tempered at Casa Ermelinda thanks to the breezes blowing in from the Atlantic that lies close by. Located at Palmela on the peninsula of Setubal, close to the Sado estuary south of Lisbon, there are currently 440 hectares of many different kinds of vines across the domain, with grapes supplied locally from a further 500ha or so. Head of the company Leonor Freitas has worked tirelessly to make many improvements out in the vineyards and in the winery where modern equipment goes hand in hand with traditional values under the skilled guidance of winemaker Jaime Quendera. Casa Ermelinda Freitas has been run by a long line of dynamic women, celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2020.
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This fortified wine has been produced in Mouchão since the winery was built in 1901. The best grapes from Alicante Bouschet were harvested by hand and trodden by foot in traditional stone presses. The grapes are gently macerated until the fermentation process begins in order to develop a round, subtle and soft mouthfeel. After 120 years, this fortified dessert wine continues to be essential in the homes of Alentejo families at Christmas time. Sold and consumed young, mainly at the beginning of December of the same year of production. Nowadays its popularity is growing outside the festive season and is served in restaurants, very cold after meals. A very traditional and forming part of the tradition of the Northeast Alentejo.
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This is a declassified wine from a top Chateau in Sauternes...shhh, they dont want you to know their name! or...just keep reading Maison Sichel is a Bordeaux based, family owned and run negociant of six generations. The Sichel family have been a sugnificant prescence in Bordeaux since 1883 and have continued to expand operations by purchasing several properties in Bordeaux including Chateau Angludet and Chateau Argaden. The Sichel family also joined with three other family in 1938 to purchase the now legendary Chateau Palmer. Maison Sichel continued to expand their operations outside of Bordeaux with Chateau Trillol in Corbieres and have several high quality own label wines such as the Sichel Sauternes and the Sichel Margaux. The Sichekl Vineyards are situated some 40 kilometers south east of Bordeaux, between the Garonne river and the Landes forest to the south. A blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle from 50 year old vines where Botrytis is encouraged to dehydrate the grapes. This Sauterne has been aged for 10 to 12 months.
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The Torre del Falasco wines are the standard bearers of this co-operative, situated in the Valpantena, northeast of Verona. Known as the ’valley of god’ to the ancient Greeks, this area is well-known for its high quality red wines, due partly to the soils but also because of the cool breeze that blows down the valley from the foothills of the Dolomites. Cantina Valpantena Tesauro Recioto della Valpolicella is the perfect dessert wine and pairs well with chocolate, cheese, and other sweet treats. With its unique blend of grapes and traditional winemaking techniques, this wine is sure to impress even the most discerning of wine lovers.
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Out of stockQuinta do Vallado, established in 1716, is one of the oldest and most famous Quintas in the Douro Valley. It once belonged to the legendary Dona Antonia Adelaide Ferreira, and still belongs to her descendents. Produces both still and port wines. This eighteenth-century Douro wine estate is actually one of the most modern-looking in Portugal. Although the team uses the traditional panoply of indigenous grapes, its methods are bang up to date and the results are nothing short of sensational. Tawny ports are wines usually made from red grapes that are aged in wooden barrels exposing them to gradual oxidation and evaporation. As a result of this oxidation, they mellow to a golden-brown color. The exposure to oxygen imparts "nutty" flavours to the wine, which is blended to match the house style. This port is really best enjoyed with a good strong cheese board. Think mature hard cheeses and salty blues. Rich and flavoursome to match with the intense flavours of the port.