Name: Niepoort - Charms Assembly - 2021
Brand: Valade & Transandine
Price: 79.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

Let's talk little, let's talk wine

The Niepoort family has been making port wines since 1842 and is today considered one of the best wine and Port producers in the country. The first property, located in the Douro, was purchased in 1987. It was there that Dirk Niepoort began a new era within the company with the creation of a range of wines interpreting the soils and climates of the region . He later acquired 2 properties in the neighboring regions of Dão and Bairrada, making wines in the same philosophy.

The Charme vintage comes from vines aged 70 to 100 years old rooted in the schist soils of Vale de Mendiz, in the famous Douro Valley. This blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and other indigenous varieties is fermented in lagares (large granite vats) where the grapes are delicately crushed by foot. The wine will then rest in French oak barrels for 14 to 19 months. This exceptional wine reveals notes of violet , raspberry , smoked plum , redcurrant , cherry , wild cornflower , graphite and dried herbs . The palate is fleshy and slightly textured, complex and intense, accompanied by fine tannins, leading to a captivating, long and saline finish. One of the finest wines from the estate!

Where are we traveling?

The main region: The Douro The Douro region, in the north of Portugal, is the birthplace of Port. It takes its name from the Douro River, which flows east-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 the excellence of its red and white wines. Douro Valley wines are some of 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-growing area covers the steep slopes of the banks of the lower course of the river, which is one of the longest on the Iberian Peninsula. From its source in northern Spain, where it is known as the Duero, it flows through the famous vineyards of Ribera del Duero before finding the Portuguese border and becoming the Douro. From there it flows through the landscape, creating a unique and historic wine region before joining the ocean at 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 onto the steep, dry slopes on either side of the river and its countless tributaries, on narrow rocky terraces - a spectacle which has been declared 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, where most premium Vintage Ports come from. Cima Corgo is the largest of the three Douro subregions, and accounts for almost half of the valley's total wine production. The steep vineyards of Cima Corgo are mainly composed of shale with significant granite deposits. Vines closer to the river tend to ripen much earlier than those at higher elevations, because the river retains heat more easily than the air. This difference in climate means that the harvest is often carried out in several passages in 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.