A smooth, fruit-forward Portuguese red with subtle spice and earthy elegance.
Ruby red in colour. On the nose lively aromas of strawberries, blackberries and cherries are married with subtle floral nuances. It is smooth on the palate with round tannins and a refreshing acidity.
The Grão Vasco wines are named after Portuguese Renaissance painter Vasco Fernandes (1480- 1543) and his famed portrait of St. Peter is featured on the label. The wines are made from fruit from trusted growers and are vinified at the state-of-the-art Quinta dos Carvalhais winery under the watchful eye of winemaker Beatriz Cabral de Almeida. In addition to investing in their own vineyards, Quinta dos Carvalhais has also been instrumental in defending the interests of local winegrowers and revolutionising viticulture in the Dão region. The Grão Vasco wines are vibrant and fruit forward and showcase the signature freshness of the Dão region.
Grapes for the Grão Vasco wines are sourced from a network of trusted Dão growers who adhere to sustainable practices in their vineyards. The vineyards sit at an average of 450 metres above sea level and cool nights counteract the warmth of the days, ensuring that the grapes undergo a slow ripening process and retain a fresh acidity whilst accumulating concentrated varietal aromas.
Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and softly crushed then transferred to temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. Fermentation at controlled temperatures lasted for approximately five days with several rounds of pumping over to ensure good extraction of colour, flavour and tannin from the grape skins. The wine is unoaked to ensure the vibrant fruit aromas remain centre stage, and was kept in stainless-steel tanks until bottling.
Pair it with grilled lamb chops and rosemary potatoes to complement its dark berry notes and gentle tannins.