Red Grapes
Alicante Bouschet
Red grape from France (Languedoc), resulting from the crossing of Petit Bouschet with Grenache, Found in Portugal the ideal conditions of soil and climate, to express its maximum potential. It is a variety used for batch, giving the wines volume, structure and concentration. Reveals an excellent aging ability.
Shiraz
It is one of the most adaptable grape varieties and therefore one of the most planted in the world. Origin wines with medium to high alcohol content and with good color intensity, from violet to strong red. Aroma complex and fine, full-bodied, slightly acidic, slightly astringent, with notes of red fruits. It also allows the elaboration of fruity and interesting rose wines. Thanks to their tannic wealth they have an excellent ability to evolve.
Roriz/Aragonês/Tempranillo
It is one of the most planted grape varieties in the Iberian Peninsula and in Spain it is known as Tempranillo. Vigorous and productive, adapting easily to different climates and soils. If the produce is not very high, the wines are well provided with coloring matter, aromatically intense and complex, and have a good potential for aging. It works very well with Touriga Nacional or Touriga Franca.
Castelão
Most important red grape variety of the Península de Setúbal, also cultivated in Ribatejo, Estremadura and Alentejo. Produces wines with granada or ruby tones and fruity aroma, being generally soft, balanced and persistent, presenting good aptitude for aging in wood. When vinified in open spouts, it produces very fruity and fresh rose wines.
White Grapes
Fernão Pires
Traditionally grown in Ribatejo, Estremadura and Bairrada, from where is presumably originates. Is one of the most cultivated white grape varieties in Portugal. It is a very versatile variety, allowing to produce from light wines, low grade, to full-bodied wines with high alcohol content. The dominant aromas are floral. In the region of Lisbon and when harvested in the optimum state of maturation, it produces very fresh and citric wines.
Viosinho
It is a grape variety traditionally planted in the Douro region, where it is used for the production of table or Port wine. Is well adapted to the hot climate of the Douro region but is also well adapted to cool climates, so it has recently started to be planted in other regions. The aromatic intensity of its wine is medium, resembling chamomile and plum. In the mouth it is involvente, with medium acidity, good structure and a pleasant retronasal aroma. Good capacity for aging.
Arinto
One of the most eclectic and adaptable of the Portuguese grape varieties, so presumably
originating in the region of Bucelas, today is cultivated a little throughout the country. It is a late maturing variety The wines have citric color, firm acidity, refreshing and with strong minerality and high aging potential. This variety also produces excellent sparkling wines.
Moscatel
Muscat wines have such characteristic aromas that it is impossible not to identify them because of the high concentration of terpene compounds. It is a variety used to the production of fortified wines. The table wines are marked by notes of lemon, lily and linden.