TABLE WINE TASTING EXTRAVAGANZA
Dining with
the Douro Boys
With the production of Portuguese table wines from the Douro on the increase, five families have banded together to help promote their produce and region
GALLERY
‘The families, who had been friends for generations, decided it would be easier to work together to promote Portuguese table wines’
THERE ARE various stories surrounding the birth of Port Wine, including the suggestion that brandy was first added in an attempt to keep the wine stable during transportation and the legend that, following a few years’ harvests with exceptionally high sugar levels, stopping fermentation short and producing incredibly popular sweet wines, brandy was added in an attempt to replicate this every year. Either way, the invention of Port Wine came long after the birth of an existing thousand-year-old tradition of viticulture in the Douro region of northern Portugal. It became, however, the region’s main export, achieving world renown in the 18th century, and the production of table wines faded into near obscurity. Only in the 1990s did the Quintas in the Douro return to their roots and begin making quality table wines alongside their Port Wines.
In 2002, the Douro Boys were born. An informal group made up of five wine estates – Quinta do Vallado, Niepoort, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta Vale D. Maria and Quinta do Vale Meão – the families, who had been friends for generations, decided it would be easier to work together to promote Portuguese table wines from the region and to raise the profile of their cellars. Together they organise presentations, seminars and tastings. Nevertheless, they remain competitors commercially.
Between 2006 and 2013, sales of Port Wine decreased by 13.8 million; at the same time, sales of Douro table wines went up by 9 million, which is an increase of 90%. Port Wine sales are now also recovering, but table wines remain key for maintaining the region’s wine production.
At the luxurious spa hotel, Aquapura, the Taste Portugal 2014/15 press trippers were joined for dinner by the Douro Boys (or, at least, representatives of each Quinta), who each brought with them one white and two red table wines and a Port Wine. It was quite an extravagant dining and wine tasting experience.
The Meal:
Smoked Salmon and Mango
Seared Sea Scallops in Vegetable Stock
Seared Sea Bass, Mashed Olives and Potatoes, Sautéed Vegetables and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Loin of Veal in Bay Leaf Stick, Sautéed Green Beans, Grilled Potato and Chilli Sauce
Selection of Portuguese Cheeses and Tomato Jam
Mille Feuilles of Pastel de Natas, Cinnamon Ice Cream and Vanilla Sauce
(Thanks to Paulo Matos, the chef at Aquapura)
The Wines:
Quinta do Vallado
Vallado Moscatel Galego White Douro Doc 2013
A dry muscat, unusual since this grape is usually used for sweet wines. Boasting a sweet acidity and aroma. Very fresh.
Vallado Touriga Nacional Red Douro Doc 2012
A single variety with lots of fruit and concentration. Spends 18 months in French oak barrels after fermentation.
Reserva Field Blend Red 2012
A powerful and elegant mix of more than 30 varieties of grape from the modern vineyards.
Vallado Tawny Port 20 Years Old
Niepoort
Redoma White Douro Doc 2013
Made from grapes from a higher level vineyard making it more acidic and fresher. Fermented in a French oak barrel for eight or nine months.
Charme Red Douro Doc 2012
A light coloured, open wine made in the winery with Port Wine, pressed by feet, and spending 15-16 months in the barrel. Only a very short contact time with the skins.
Batuta Red Douro Doc 2011
A blend of north-facing tinta roriz and touriga nacional. Very ruby in colour. 30-35 days of contact with the skins and 22 months in the barrels producing elegant tannins.
Niepoort Porto Colheita 2000
Quinta do Crasto
Crasto White Douro Doc 2013
Fresh and fruity. A blend of viosinho, rabigato and gouvero grapes, with a natural acidity, citric, tropical fruits and floral flavours. Excellent paired with seafood and fish, and it leaves the palate clean and fresh. First made in 2007.
Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines Douro Doc 2012
Described as a ‘fruit salad’, since it is a blend of more than 35 different red grape varieties. 16-18 months in French and American oak barrels.
Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz Douro Doc 2011
Quinta do Crasto Vintage Port 2010
Quinta Vale D. Maria
VZ White Douro Doc 2013
A mixture of two grapes, which bring together acidity and fruitiness. This is the first presentation of a white table wine by the Quinta.
Quinta Vale D. Maria Red Douro Doc 2012
and
Quinta Vale D. Maria 2012 – Vinha da Francisca Douro Red
The backbone of both of these wines is touriga nacional, which makes of 45% of the vineyard. The combination of schist, granite and alluvial pebbles is ideal for these grapes.
Quinta Vale D. Maria 2012 LBV Port
Quinta do Vale Meão
Meandro DOC Douro White 2013
Meandro DOC Douro Red 2012
Quinta do Vale Meão DOC Douro Red 2012
A blend of four different grape varieties.
Quinta do Vale Meão Vintage Port 2012
