Producer Profile

Quinta da Alorna has a long and illustrious history stretching back to the 18th century and has links to our very own Iberian Buyer, Paul. Allegedly, his ancestor was rescued by the then winemakers from execution and spirited away, so that many years later Paul could repay the favour and add them to our portfolio. Sitting majestically in the Tejo region, Quinta da Alorna has a wide array of vineyards which are worked in a sustainable and socially responsible way, looking after both the land and the workers. Portugal’s trump card is its wide array of toothsome indigenous varieties and they are put to good work here. Aromatic Fernao Pires, tight, minerally Arinto and the Portuguese iteration of Tempranillo, Tinto Roriz, are amongst the bevy of blindingly tasty components that they have to work with and the result is an accomplished range of distinctly Portuguese wines.

Viticulture

The 220 Hectares of vines are dedicated to the production of both native and international varieties, including Arinto, Fernão Pires, Chardonnay, Moscatel, Verdelho, Alvarinho and Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Touriga Nacional, Castelão, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tinta Roriz, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah for the red wines. Soils are sandy loam or sandy clay and pruned Double Cordon de Royat. Harvesting is done by hand and pests and disease control is carried out using the rules of integrated viticulture.

Winemaking

To produce this wine, the best grapes were hand selected and harvested manually. After a two day pre-fermentative cold maceration on the skins, the alcoholic fermentation was performed at a controlled temperature of 23ºC. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in second use American casks for 6 months.

Oak Treatment

Time: 6 Months; Type: Second use American; % oaked: 100; % new oak: None;

Tasting Note

This purple coloured wine has a floral aroma with strong notes of violets and red and black fruits, like raspberry and blackberry. A well balanced round body sustaining the notes of black fruits. The finish is elegant with fine long tannins.

Food Matching

Excellent with Italian cuisine, duck, and mild cheeses.