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OLD CHARACTER . YOUNG SPIRIT . UNIQUE WINES
All of our wines received the
quality certification of Port and Douro Wines Institute and have as well been
awarded Gold medals in several international competitions. Our facilities have
received THE BEST WINE TOURISM award for two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016,
which is voted by several European cities.
THE DOURO REGION AND PORT WINE
13th century - In this
century, the city of Porto was the main distribution point of the wines
produced in the Douro for the international markets. It is in this century that
the history of the Douro (place of production) and the history of the city of
Porto (place of distribution) were united forever!
14th century - During
the reign of King D. Fernando, in the 14th century, the main income
of the State came from the taxes on exports and, at that time, wines become a
source of wealth gaining economic significance.
15th century - The
maritime expeditions began during the reign of King D. Manuel I (1469-1521). If
not all, many of the vessels which departed looking for new worlds had Douro
wines in their holds which became partners of the successful sea routes. During
this period, wine consumption increased significantly, leading the king to
order the destruction of several fishing channels in order to facilitate the
navigation between Douro and Porto.
1756 - It is in this year that
Marquês de Pombal delimits the Douro Region with 335 landmarks across 250,000
hectares and it became the world's oldest demarcated and regulated wine region.
In 2001, UNESCO classified the
Douro Demarcated Region as World Heritage Site for its human, cultural and
landscape richness.
The terrace cultivation, the
climate, the soil, the traditions and the people, as unique characteristics of
the Region, make the Douro / Porto wines unparalleled in terms of colour, body
and taste, resulting in natural quality.
The Port wines of Quinta da Boeira
have the knight seal on the neck of the bottle leaving no doubts to the
consumer of its origin, Douro Demarcated Region, thus avoiding the confusion of
the consumer regarding liqueur wines produced in several countries with the
indication PORT in the labels.
Characteristics
Port Wine is a wine produced in the
Douro Demarcated Region under unique conditions due to natural factors and
human factors. The production process, based in the tradition, includes
stopping the fermentation of the must by adding grape brandy (fortification),
making up lots of wine and ageing the wine in chestnut or oak wood.
Port Wine differentiates itself
from ordinary wines for its specific characteristics: an enormous diversity of
types which are surprising in terms of unparalleled richness and intensity of
aromas, persistence of flavour, alcohol content usually ranging from 19 and 20%
vol., a wide range of natural sweetness and wide diversity of colours.
Port Wines are classified according
to ageing.
Port Wines are divided
in two categories: standard category and special categories and these,
subsequently, are sub-divided in several qualities as follows:
STANDARD CATEGORY WITH MORE A LESS 3 YEARS OF AGE
RUBY
For these wines there is an attempt
to stop the evolution of their red colour, more or less intense, and keep the
fruity aroma and stamina of young wines. In this type of wines, according to
the ageing time, we highlight the following characteristics:
Ruby (3 to 5 years)
Ruby Reserve (5 to 7 years)
Late Bottled Vintage - LBV (4 to 6
years)
The wines of the best
categories, mainly the Vintage, and, to a lesser extent, the LBV, can be stored
as they age well when bottled.
TAWNY
Obtained by making up lots of wine
of variable maturation grade promoted by the ageing in casks or vats. These are
wines in which the colour presents an evolution and should be fitted in the
sub-classes of golden red, golden or light golden. The aromas recall of dry
fruits and wood. In this style of wines, according to the ageing time, the
following categories exist:
Tawny (3 to 5 years)
Tawny Reserve (5 to 7 years)
Tawny with Age Indication (10
years, 20 years, 30 years and 40 years) and Harvest. They are wines of batches
of different years, except for the Harvest which are from a single year.
Harvest Tawnies - from one harvest
/ year, aged in casks for a minimum period of seven years.
It is recommended to consume Tawny
wines with indication of Age and Harvest after being bottled in the period of
two years.
Port Wine, as a natural product,
with age is subject to create sediment in the bottle; therefore, it is
suggested to keep the bottle upright during 24 hours and then proceed with
decanting.
WHITE
White Port Wine presents itself in
several styles, namely associated with the ageing periods, more extended or
shorter, and different levels of sweetness resulting from how its elaboration
is conducted. The traditional wines were joined by the floral and complex aroma
wines with a minimum alcohol content of 16-5% (White, Light, Dry Port Wine)
capable of satisfying the demand of wines with less alcohol.
White Port Wines can age in wood
being marketed as RESERVE and with age.
ROSÉ
A pink colour wine
obtained through low intense maceration of red grapes and for which no
oxidation phenomena during conservation are promoted. These are wines to be
consumed young which have a nice aromatic exuberance with cherry, raspberry and
strawberry notes. In the mouth they are soft and pleasant. They should be enjoyed
fresh or with ice and can be served in several cocktails.
SPECIAL CATEGORIES FROM 6 TO 40
YEARS, VERY OLD TAWNY, HARVEST AND VINTAGE
These styles represent highly
recognised wines, known as "Special Categories":
RUBY RESERVE BETWEEN 6 AND 7 YEARS
RUBY TAWNY BETWEEN 6 AND 7 YEARS
Porto Late Bottled Vintage (LBV)
The Porto Vintage remains two years
in vats after the harvest and is sent to IVDP for approval in the Vintage
class. After bottling, it can remain for long periods in a wine cellar.
Porto (Vintage) Single Quinta
Vintage is bottled after two years and can be kept in bottle for long years.
Porto Tawny 10 years AGED IN CASKS
Porto Tawny 20 years
Porto Tawny 30 years
Porto Tawny 40 years