Portuguese red wine made from Alicante Bouschet and Caselão. Two true Portuguese grape varieties that have produced the finest wines. The winemaker told us it was almost obvious to use this combination. The vineyards for these two grape varieties are both quite old, between 25 and 30 years old. The vines are planted in sandy soil and yield only a low amount. However, the quality of the grapes is exceptionally good! The warm daytime temperatures, combined with the cooling wind from the sea, ensure a beautiful and balanced growing season. However, there is a lot of pruning work in the vineyards. All excess leaves must be pruned away so that all nutrients can go to the bunches instead of to the excess leaves. When the grapes reach optimal ripeness, which occurs at a different time for each grape variety, the harvest will begin. This harvest is carried out entirely by hand and begins in the early morning. At this point, the grapes are quite resistant to damage on their way to the winery. After separate pressing and fermentation, half of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for a minimum of 6 months for greater strength and suppleness.
That power and suppleness has certainly been achieved! When we uncork the bottle and carefully pour the wine into the glass, we see a beautiful deep purple-red color. With our nose to the glass, we are captivated by the aromas of berries, black cherries, and delicate spices. This translates into a full-bodied and powerful Portuguese red wine with nuances of black fruit, light wood tones, spices, and a lovely hint of vanilla at the end. The finish is powerful yet certainly smooth, making this Catarina a pleasant companion. This red Catarina wine also lends itself perfectly to stewed meat dishes, with rabbit being a particular favorite.
