How to taste wine

GLASS  - To taste a wine properly it should be used a thin, transparent glass cup, standing tall at which to hold, and long body, closer mouth, so that the flavors can be properly appreciated.

TEMPERATURE - The wine should be served at the temperature recommended in the back label of the bottle, or, if that is non-existent, between 16ºC and 18ºC (red wine) and between 9ºC and 12ºC (white wine).

PROOF - The proof is an analysis based on sensorial data so, once the wine is served, all the senses should be cleared so that the test can be as complete as possible.

Proof Phases:

Visual Phase - In this 1st stage the wine color must be examined, as well as its clarity, brightness and intensity. In the case of sparkling wine it should be noted, also, the size of the bubbles and the persistence of its cord, after the disappearance of the initial foam.

Olfactory phase - it begins when you smell the glass and ends up via retronasal, when the wine is already on the palate. At this stage, there can be detected some wine defects (cork, mold, vinegar, etc.) or it can be discovered its aromatic complexity. The range of flavors is vast and its discovery always depend on the olfactory memory of the person that made the proof.

Gustatory phase - This corresponds to the wine tasting phase in the mouth, from the first impression that the wine causes when it's drunk (the attack) to the appreciation of the whole of flavors (sour, bitter, salty, sweet), the body, texture and other characteristics of the product.

Final phase - After being swallowed up (or spit) the wine should leave a set of sensations, and its persistence should be enjoyed, such as the flavors, the retro-nasal scent and the finish in the mouth.

In the end of all these four stages, it can be concluded the greater or lesser originality of the wine, its balance, harmony, etc.


Source: Vinhos do Alentejo 

Vale do Navalho, one of the best Olive Oil

Do you now the olive oil benefits?

Olive oil is a natural product extracted from the olives juice which has several health benefits for their nutritional qualities. Unlike animal fat this is advisable to use in food.

Among the benefits, the most important are:

• Reduces cancer

• Reduces heart diseases because it lowers the levels of total blood cholesterol

• Reduces the Blood Pressure

• Prevents Diabetes

• Prevents Obesity

• Prevents Osteoporosis

Vale do Navalho Olive Oil

Vale do Navalho has three different olive oils in the market:

- Vale do Navalho Delicate

- Vale do Navalho Light

- Vale do Navalho Intense

With these three different types of oil, you can choose which intensity you want to use when cooking your dishes. Intense for salads to give it a lighter flavor; delicate with fish to keep the flavor of the fish and have a pleasant, mild olive oil flavor; and light to strong foods like meat.

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"Portuguese wine is one of a kind"

The Financial Times journalist has claimed the Portuguese wines as one of a kind. But (and there is always a “but” in great stories) they have to be more aware of their target markets in order to be more competitive.

Jancis Robinson says Portuguese wine is unique
Credits

The journalist Jancis Robinson attended the international wine fair in Celorico da Beira, Portugal, where she opted not say her favourite Portuguese wine region, but she had a strong point to make about the quality and diversity of Portuguese wines.

One of the most influential wine critics of the world told that our wines are “very unique and interesting flavour one which you can’t find anywhere else in the world”. During the fair, the Financial Times journalist took the time to pay compliments to producers for resisting temptation to use foreign grape varieties and for accomplishing the perfect balance of oak flavour.

Although Jancis believes that the quality of Portuguese wines are improving by the hour, Portuguese producers have a huge need to understand their target markets. They need to have a competitive strategies, they need to know their strengths and their weaknesses in relation to other wines in the market.

She went on to say that the Portuguese wines can’t just been “thrown” into the markets, instead the producers need to choose carefully the product they want to put out there considering each market uniqueness’s. “They need to see the product from the point view of the consumer” said the reporter.

Also, the producers need to know about the products out there they are competing against. “They can't be always drinking their wine otherwise they will have no knowledge of their opponent”. Jancis encouraged Portuguese producers to drink each other wines and to make constructive critics.

Douro wine's exports rose 17%

Great news for Douro wines!

Exports have risen 17% in the first semester of 2014 compared to 2013. The President of Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho told the media that the Douro wines are growing due to the international and national recognition that they have been awarded is the past few years. Last year, for the first time, Douro Wine made more than 100 million euros in sales. Angola, Canada, United States of America, Germany and Switzerland are the country that have seek out more of this kind of wines.

Douro wines exports rose 17%
Credits

Promoting wines from Douro has been the main focus of various enterprises that deal in wine exportation. They have really done their jobs well. Of course, Douro wines doesn't owes all to marketing and promotion. Much of the success this wine are having are due to the hard work of its producers and to the quality of theirs grapes varieties. Portugal is in high demand and specially northern Portugal seems to have stricken a cord amongst tourists everywhere.

The President of IVV concludes that there might be no wine lover that doesn't have a positive impression of the DOP wine from Douro. “You just have to take a look at comments, articles, ratings and medals to see that these wines are winners everywhere."

How to choose dessert wines

Portuguese dessert wines
Credits

Everybody knows life is sweeter with Port’s wine but the other wines combined with a dessert dish might be fantastic as well. The Portuguese wine portfolio is a very rich one when it comes to dessert wines. We are better know as the home of Port's Wine but we have other equally good varieties.

The Portuguese Wine decided to share Tips on how to choose a Portuguese dessert wine:

1.  Learn the different kind of dessert wine including the fortified wine such as Port and Cherry and latest harvested wine made from sweet ripe grapes. For instances, you must learn that a drier wine does not go well with dessert plates. You should go for a Muscatel from the region of Setúbal, a classic Port wine, traditional semi-sweet wines or even a Madeira wine.
2. Compliment, always! Cake, Cookies, fruit, chocolate and cheese are great pairs for any kind of dessert wine. 
3. Muscat wine goes well with fruit.  Muscat grapes produce lighter and sweeter winesThe sweet Muscatel wine goes well with fruits, nuts, chocolate or coffee.
4. The malavasia variety from Madeira is perfect for honey cake, tropical fruits, dry nuts or something with milk chocolate.
5. Choose a fortified wine like Port’s when you are dealing rich desert: pick a lighter ruby port wine when you are eating a fruit pie, tawny Port’s with milk chocolate and vintage Port’s with dark chocolate.
6. Dessert wine should be sweeter than the dessert.
7. Serve very sweet dessert wines as a desert themselves.

Enjoy wine lovers,

Quinta Vale do Conde Olive Oil shines at Japanese competition

Quinta Vale do Conde wins a Gold Medal Award at Olive Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition.
The Olive Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition is one of the premier olive oil competitions in the world, bringing together the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in awarding medals to the best oil.

Image credits 

The Wines of Westeros are coming

12 houses. 12 temptations. Where does your loyalty lie?

House Lannister has a Pinot Noir
Credits

Your sister roots for Sansa, your brother mimics Jeffrey, annoying the hell out of you, your mother wants you to be more like Rob Stark, you grandparents sound everyday more like Grand master Pycell dragging its chains and you, well you, just want to watch the actual show!...But you can't. The season 5 of the Game of Thrones series will only come out next year. Alright, so you can't watch it...but you can drink it.

Hear ye hear ye, there's wine in the realm! A collection based on 'Game of Thrones' wines is coming soon. The projec was born from the minds of fans of the show at Common Ventures, an australian creative agency. 

HBO's most watched series inspired this enterprise although they don't have an official connection to Game of Thrones, they have a pretty good grip on characterizing their wine. “

Wines of Westeros offers a different wine variety for each house on the show. For the Northerners Stark's they have created a bottle of a Sauvingnon Blanc, for the house Targaryen a Shiraz and  for the Golden Lions they have a Pinot Noir. "The reds are all associated with the houses that are head strong and robust. The whites on the other hand are more cunning, perceptive and mysterious,” said Jane Burhop of Common Ventures.

The Wines of Westeros are coming

A bottle of the Game of Thrones wine will cost roughly around 15€ and is already available for preorder. Like the great Oberyn Martell once said,  when it comes to wine — "I don't choose sides".