When it comes to the world of quality wines, Portugal is a true treasure.
With its rich history and diverse grape varieties, we are a country that offers a wide variety of exquisite wines for enthusiasts to enjoy. Today, we dive into the first of two articles that celebrate another Wine Club by Casa das Muralhas initiative. This month we celebrate Wine November and we set the challenge for our sommeliers to choose, for the 30 days of the month, 30 different wines under €30 available in our restaurant.
In this article, we share with you the wine selections made by one of our experts!
Filipe Rogado, affectionately nicknamed "Fil" by our team, he is a passionate wine enthusiast. In addition to being one of the owners of Casa das Muralhas, he is the manager of the restaurant located in this beautiful house with granite walls. Born in the town of Pias, in Alentejo, and with a degree in Sports, he was far from thinking that the world of oenology would be part of his daily life...
He found his calling in wine, after embracing the challenge of starting a family project, together with his parents, uncles and cousins. Over the last few years he has invested in his training and is now certified byWine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)and is a true ambassador for this drink. Did we mention that you have a dog, whose name was inspired by a Bordeaux wine, the acclaimed Petrus?
For this month, Filipe selected the first 15 wines highlighted in Wine November2023. If you are also an avowed oenophile, don't miss part 2 of this article and the choices of our F&B director, Ricardo Pires.
Let's explore Filipe's choices for this month, remember, they all cost less than €30, and are available in our restaurant:
1. Almeida Garrett TNT 2018
Region: Beira Interior
Grapes: Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira
Tasting Notes: Almeida Garrett TNT 2018 is a rich and intense red wine with deep aromas of cherry and plum, complemented by subtle notes of spices and ripe fruits. It has a balanced and refreshing palate, with soft tannins and surprising freshness. Aged for 6 months in French oak barrels, it is a true gem.
2. Quinta da Arrancada Reserva 2020
Region: Beira Interior
Grapes: Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Touriga Nacional
Tasting Notes: Ruby color with violet tones. Nose with firm notes of fresh red fruit, cherry, blackberry and light spice. Finishes elegant, balsamic and persistent.
3. Altas Quintas Crescendo 2021 Red
Region: Alentejo
Grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira
Tasting Notes: Altas Quintas Crescendo 2021 is a red wine with an intense garnet color, with aromas of forest fruits, spices and toast. It impresses with its freshness, elegance, balance, depth and a long-lasting finish. It is an ideal companion for oven dishes or those with more complex preparations.
4. Niepoort Diálogo 2020 Red
Region: Douro
Grapes: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela
Tasting Notes: Niepoort Diálogo 2020, with its intense garnet color and aromas of forest fruits and spices, is another excellent choice. It displays freshness, elegance, balance, depth and a long-lasting finish.
5. Fraga do Calvo Reserva 2018
Region: Douro
Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Tasting Notes: Very fresh and intense on the nose with notes of wild black fruits and black cherries, the aroma acquires complexity due to the notes of wood. In the mouth it is concentrated, with firm tannins and smooth texture, persistent finish, revealing its essence in a unique mix of rusticity and elegance.
6. Quinta da Caldeirinha Touriga Nacional 2016
Region: Beira Interior
Grape: Touriga Nacional
Tasting Notes: This red wine has a garnet color and delicate aromas of violets and red fruits, such as blackberries and blueberries. On the palate, it is full-bodied with fine, ripe tannins, presenting lots of fruit and good acidity. It is a wine that goes well with red meat, roast beef and grilled meats.
7. Quinta dos Termos Reserva Vinha das Colmeias 2020
Region: Beira Interior
Grape: Alfrocheiro
Tasting Notes: Quinta dos Termos Reserva Vinha das Colmeias 2020 is a red wine produced by Quinta dos Termos. It is made from the Alfrocheiro grape variety and has an alcohol content of 14%. The wine has an intense ruby color and a complex aroma with notes of red fruits and wild plants. It has good volume in the mouth, velvety tannins and a pleasant freshness, typical of the natural acidity of Cova da Beira wines.
8. Red Rubric 2019
Region: Alentejo
Grapes: Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Aragonês, Petit Verdot, Tinta Miuda
Tasting Notes: Rubrica Tinto 2019 is a deep live garnet red wine, with aromas of very fresh black wild fruits, complemented by more complex aromas of spices and mint. In the mouth, it reveals a rich flavor of concentrated black fruit and has a firm structure, with well-present tannins and a refreshing acidity. The finish is medium to long, of notable elegance.
9. Quinta de Sant'Ana Harvest 2017
Region: Lisbon
Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Aragonês, Merlot
Tasting Notes: Quinta de Sant'Ana Colheita 2017 is a fresh red wine with aromas of forest fruits, eucalyptus and mint, and with a floral hint of Touriga Nacional. In the mouth, it reveals an intense flavor, with good structure and great final persistence. Aging for 10 months in used French oak barrels.
10. Almeida Garrett Folhas Caídas Reserva 2020
Region: Beira Interior
Grapes: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: The aroma is subtle and refined, with a slight suggestion of toast, subtle smoky traces and notes of almond. On the palate, it presents itself with a distinct profile, with a gastronomic character, where the very present acidity gives it an elegant lightness and persistence.
11. Herdade do Lousial Callum 2020
Region: Beira Interior
Caste: Callum
Tasting Notes: Herdade do Lousial Callum Reserva White 2020 wine is an organic white wine produced in the Beira Interior region, in Portugal. It presents a notable acidity, striking structure, creamy texture and delicate retronasal aroma, which give it a long and attractive finish. In aromatic profile, it is a fresh wine with aromas of pear and citrus fruits, evident floral notes and an admirable purity of flavors and final balance. It is a wine that accompanies fish, seafood and white meat dishes.
12. Ancestral Black Ribbon 2022 White
Region: Alentejo
Grapes: Roupeiro, Rabo de Ovelha, Arinto, Tamarez and Alicante Branco
Tasting Notes: It has a citrus yellow color, with an intense citrus aroma with mineral notes refreshing the whole. It attacks with good volume and is rich in retro. Finishes with impressive freshness in harmony with good fruit. The ending is quite persistent.
13. Alto do Pocinho 2022 White
Region: Douro
Grapes: Rabigato and Viosinho
Tasting Notes: It is an organic white wine produced in the historic region of Douro Superior, with traditional grape varieties, from terraced plots between 300 and 350 meters. It expresses the character of the grape varieties and the telluric strength of the place where the new Quinta do Termos project is located – Aldeia do Pocinho, in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. It has a light bright straw yellow color, with greenish hints. The aroma has citrus notes (grapefruit, lemon), as well as notes of more mature fruit (melon, peach). Clean aroma with good exuberance and intensity. In the mouth, it reveals citrus fruit, biscuit, stone fruit and light spices. It is a fresh and seductive wine, with enormous freshness, elegance, balance, depth and long persistence. It can accompany fish, seafood and white meat dishes.
14. Pessoa Terroir Blend 2021
Region: Vinho Verde
Grapes: Loureiro, Trajadura and Alvarinho
Tasting Notes: Pessoa da Vinha Terroir Branco Blend 2021 is a white wine produced in the Vinho Verde region, Minho, in the north of Portugal. It is made from the Loureiro, Trajadura and Alvarinho grape varieties. This wine has a bright, light straw yellow color, with greenish hints.
15. Niepoort 2020 Label
Region: Dão
Grapes: Borrado das Moscas, Rabo de Ovelha, Cercial
Tasting notes: The Niepoort Rótulo Branco 2020 wine is a wine that has a citrus color and is very light, with a fresh aroma of white flowers and notes of terroir. In the mouth, it reveals citrus fruit, biscuit, stone fruit and light spices. It is a fresh and seductive wine, with enormous freshness, elegance, balance, depth and long persistence.