Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Quinta Do Crasto is a winery with more than a century of history, belonging to the family of Leonor and Jorge Roquette. Its name comes from the Latin “castrum” which means “Roman fortress”. Through its history, Quinta do Crasto benefits from the best plots and the oldest vines in the region. The Roquettes, 4th generation of the family, are dedicated not only to the production of still wines, but also produce Ports and olive oils, within the extraordinary landscape of the Douro Valley.
This cuvée is made from grapes from selected plots located in the “patamares”, the traditional terraces of the Douro Valley . After the harvest, they are brought in 22 kilo boxes and go through a rigorous selection before being destemmed and pressed. The must obtained ferments in stainless tanks for 7 days. The resulting wine is then aged for approximately 6 months, 85% of which is in stainless steel vats and the rest of the wine in French oak barrels. This wine reveals seductive notes of blackberry liqueur , blackcurrant , black plum , blueberry , cherry , wild berries , tobacco , coffee and licorice . The palate is generous and full-bodied, with present but melted tannins. The finish is on spices and black fruits.
Where are we traveling?
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.