Why are Alentejo Wines
so Compelling
The Alentejo in Portugal is home to two of the world's most remarkable resources flexible, adaptable, highly sustainable, perfect for our modern way of life
Not a place but a region
that is globally unique
Your restorative escape awaits. Alentejo's simple charms hide unparalleled sophistication
Most of the accommodations we feature are set within vineyards, known colloquially as herdades, nurtured under the control of
WASP - Wines in Alentejo Sustainability Programme. The rigour involves strict quality control, only authorised and certified wines can carry the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). You are safe in the knowledge the international standards of CGTC are generally intrinsic in the compliance already applied to ensure world quality wine and hospitality.
A 'California-esque' Terrior
A region that is fascinating in its rural charm
Alentejo is a sanctuary to over 250 indigenous grape varieties with texture, aroma and flavours that, quite simply, cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Leading from the front are a group of three red grapes, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Trincadeira producing sun-drenched full flavour ripe fruits with smooth tannins.
But the twist in the mix is that although this trio form the back bone of the region, Alentejo is so vast and topographically diverse that an Aragonez from the high altitude north tastes almost nothing like its namesake grown in Vidigueira in the sun-drenched south.
The terrior of Portalegre in the 'cool high altitudes' of northern Alentejo, where it is much cooler, wetter features granitic soils creates grapes that retain higher levels of acidity with bright red cherry or wild strawberry flavours. Close by is Alter do Chão home to Coudelaria de Alter the oldest Stud Farm in the world.
Evora is historically recognised as Alentejo's centre of wine, a fascinating city where guests can enjoy the hospitality of several of its vineyards where the accomodation enjoys CGTC accredited facilities.
Vidigueira in the south of the Alentejo sits in a unique fault line where cold Atlantic winds become trapped creating significant diurnal swings from very hot days to cold nights. The cool nights preserve acidity, the day time heat ensures a plump, spicy fruit; think black plums or a hint of leather.
Learn more of the Art of Wine, a truly absorbing opportunity where anyone and everyone has the chance to discover why the Alentejo has become known as the Sommerliers Choice.
There are eight wine regions in Alentejo hosting 245 wine producers offering over 1130 brands, truly a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Wine has been part of its culture for more than 2000 years, its customs and traditions part of the very fabric of society.
It is remarkable, but fact, that top tier red blends and complex whites are frequently available at a fraction of the price of similar quality wines from more famous wine growing regions of Europe.
Portalegre Bio-Sanctuaries (Alentejo North Eco-Therapy Group)
| Location | Hotel | Brief Description | Direct Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portalegre | Rossio Hotel | Eco-conscious hotel bustling with atmosphere offering a wide choice of activities | Reserve Rossio Hotel |
| Alter do Chão | Hotel Vila Gale Collection | Set on the historic Alter Real Stud Farm | Reserve Vila Gale Alter do Chao |
Evora Bio-Sanctuaries (Alentejo Central Eco-Therapy Group)
| Location | Hotel | Brief Description | Direct Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evora | Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa | 15th-century convent transformed | Reserve Convento do Espinheiro |
| Evora | Octant Evora | Contemporary architecture harmonizing with nature | Reserve Octant Evora |
| Montemor-o-Novo | L'AND Vineyards | Fine dining by chef David Jesus | Reserve L'AND Vineyards |
| Monsaraz | São Lourenço do Barrocal | Historic 200-year-old farm estate owned by the same family for over two centuries | Reserve São Lourenço do Barrocal |
Vidigueira Bio-Sanctuaries (Alentejo Southern Eco-Therapy Group)
| Location | Hotel | Brief Description | Direct Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vidigueira | Herdade do Sobroso | Breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards. | Reserve Herdade do Sobroso |
| Vidigueira | Quinta Do Paral | Unmatched confidentiality and comfort. | Reserve Quinta Do Paral |
| Grandola | Sublime Comporta | Wellness Boutique Resort with a spa. | Sublime Comporta |
Trinca Bolotas
Red 2023
Herdade do Peso Vineyards
Herdade do Peso, is a leading wine estate in Vidigueira, Alentejo, The wine has an intense ruby color with an aroma of red fruit with a floral side given by Touriga Nacional. On the palate the taste is very balanced, very soft tannins mix well with its refreshing acidity. The taste lingers the in the mouth making it an excellent choice for our classic Portuguese pairing of Octopus prepared by our sommelier. Touriga Nacional provides an aromatic harmony where the floral and dark fruit notes complement the "earthy" marine flavour of the octopus.
Our Sommelier had stored the bottle horizontally as advised by the vineyard, serving it as a two year old wine which the vintage recommends.
The Alentejo wine harvest is a time of great celebration
Festivals have been created out of harvest time, they run from August to October. Visitors are welcome and participate in local traditions of grape stomping (pisa a pe), immersing themselves in the music, feasts, tasting sessions and vineyard tours. Book early to avoid disappointment.
The traditions in wine making in the Alentejo, by the very nature of their ancient passage of rights, enjoy an unsurpassable lead, one that cannot be imitated where a single wine's complexity is quite simply a form of art, a craft that cannot be learned, even in one lifetime.
Internationally renowned Italian entrepreneur and oenologist, Riccardo Cotarella, regarded as a world authority says of Portugal's viticulturalists:
"The diversity of Portugal's native grapes has created within the regions a natural aptitude for blending, a rare art in the world of wine".
Courtesy of Drink Retailing UK
Templo do Romano de Evora
Considered the historic capital of the Alentejo, Evora's unique soil and climate was celebrated by the Romans for its rich wines, holding a pride of place in its Empire.
Acclaimed as the one of the best preserved Roman ruins in the Iberian Peninsula, romantically captioned the Temple of Diane, it is Evora's most iconic monument. The temple was dedicated in the first half of the 1st century in honour of Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire.
In a fitting tribute, the Corinthian columns form several pillars of wisdom of modern day Portugal. Each one is synonymous with the distinctive properties of the very earth that identify Alentejo as the only region in the world where the subtleties of Roman wine making has been practiced without interruption for millennia.
Photo by Jose Santos on Unsplash
A Special wine from the Vidigueira
Wine making is an ancient craft, one that is instinctive, second nature, ingrained through generations in the traditional wine growing regions of Europe. In times past the Romans adopted giant clay amphorae throughout their empire. Made of local clay, lined with 'pes' a natural pine resin with beeswax to age and store wine until ready to drink. In Portugal it was known as Vinho de Talho.
Vidigueira was, and still is, an important wine growing centre where the 'Vinho de Talha' is at the heart of wine making. Only a handful of regions in Europe have retained the art. The Alentejo is Western Europe's 'guardian' of the practice, a complex of wine making knowledge that has remained unchanged for over 2000 years.
Vinho de Talha, is the ultimate expression of craftsmanship, of a mastery that permits spontaneous fermentation in traditions that lead to aging of the wine. The pots are sealed with a layer of olive oil and opened only on St Martin's Day, November 11th by inserting a tap from which to pour the wine. Portugal is the only country in the world with a specific regulated Appellation of Origin (DOC or DOP) for Vinho de Talha (Amphora Wine). Vinho de Talha DOC stands testament to the quality, provenance and storytelling of this ancient process.
Giant Talha do Vinho at a winery in Portugal
Photo by Paul La Rosa on Unsplash
The Ancient Passage of Rights
Nothing can describe ancient ways of life that are part today's busy world better than cork oak. With a life span averaging 200 to 250 years today's mature trees witnessed the Peninsular Wars from 1808 to 1814. Even then cork was used as a bottle stopper in Port wine bottled on the Douro in fact the term 'Vintage Port' came into being in 1775 when today's cork oaks might have been saplings. In a Christie's Auction Catalogue of 1773 is listed a "Port Wine of 1765".
Cork Oak and Vineyards have grown side by side in the Alentejo for milennia.
Harvested in the Alentejo
Cork has the
master touch
Wine producers can spend a lifetime improving the quality and bouquet of their wine. They fully understand how oxygen is so vitally important to the aroma, to the bouquet to that first 'attack' as the wine touches your tongue and as its sensation spreads across your palate.
From the moment of pressing the grape, during bottling and especially during the aging of wine in the bottle, the right cork will create the desired aroma. Natural cork permits micro oxidation; or the steady transfer of oxygen over time, typically ~1mg per year. However during the first twelve months there will be an initial high release of oxygen from its cellular structure followed by a low steady state thereafter.
The conundrum is different wines need different permeability some need more oxygen, others less. If you have an everlasting memory of a special bottle of wine, thank the
vinicultor for their expertise but thank the cork too, for its amazing properties, matching all that the grape and the wine grower set out to achieve.
Alentejo, a slow, traditional, and welcoming way of life
Occupying one third of Portugal's land, yet sparsely populated, the Alentejo is largely rural, characterized by open plains, cork forests, vineyards and small, scattered villages.
People are self sufficient, rural crafts still an important way of life for many. It is among these artisans we have sought out specialists in wickerwork and woodcrafts to offer our clients a unique collection of wine holders, wine storage and last but not least our cork display barrels and cabinets.
Monsaraz Alentejo Photo by Filipe Nobre on Unsplash
Hidden Gems of Alentejo
The Coudelaria de Alter in Alter do Chão is an spectacular cultural heirloom, but it is far from alone, the Alentejo excels at hiding away historical anomalies that challenge our modern concepts of time, scale, and permanence.
Start saving your wine corks today.
Your cork stopper did a great job for you, maybe you can give it another life. As soon as you begin your collection, cork's natural appeal will start to shine.
Cork stoppers, like the cork oak they come from, naturally retain CO2. A single cork stopper is capable of absorbing up to 56.4 grams of CO2. But for a material as special as cork, this is just the beginning. There are lots of ways to save used cork, they are all pleasing to the eye. Watch this space, coming soon, unique, collectable display cabinets for your cork stoppers.
We can recycle cork stoppers either into granules, or repurpose them into vineyards to enrich the soil. Cork granules provide a valuable, much needed resource for manufacturers in the construction industry. It is one of our most efficient insulation material and creates hardwearing attractive flooring.
Why not consider
Becoming part of our 4Cork network to recycle cork
Contact Us
What is the Difference between Being Eco-Friendly and Being Sustainable
Thankyou for visiting this page, if you have come this far we might between us help to make our world a better place. The activities on this page are eco-friendly, together they help to reduce emission outputs of CO2 by cutting back on waste, reducing energy consumption and by repairing, repurposing items we might otherwise have disposed of.
The next step is to become sustainable and by doing so regenerate nature so that it can continue to both provide and protect, not just ourselves but our children and our grandchildren . Sustainability is the holistic perspective that we all need not just to acknowledge, but wholly buy into. If you are ready to buy in contact us for your next steps.
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Over the coming months we will be expanding our
wine crafted pages to bring you a wealth of information about the Alentejo. A region where life, traditions and customs have endured for over two millennia, where wine making has created a rich tapestry we will have the honour to portray.
