Getting to know a wine region is a bit like getting to know a person. Time is an ally. Over the course of several years I’ve been fortunate to explore the wines of Alentejo through engaging educational programs and tastings, deepening my understanding of this remarkable region.  Then last year, my wife and I took a day trip to Evora, the capital of Alentejo and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all. Tomorrow, I’ll be embarking on a remarkable journey back as I take part in a media trip to Alentejo!

I can’t wait to explore and share my experiences with you. From vineyard tours and tastings, to cultural encounters, this adventure promises to be an unforgettable opportunity to delve into the heart of Alentejo.

Stay tuned as I capture the essence of this extraordinary destination and bring you along on this memorable voyage through my words and lens.

About Alentejo

The Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) is located in southern Portugal. It’s a sizable region about the size of the state of Massachusetts, that covers about a third of the country. It has a long history as a major producer of grains and corks. In fact, nearly half of the world’s supply of corks is sourced from the region’s cork oak trees

Winemaking in the Alentejo dates back 4,000 years, but it wasn’t until the 1980s when investment from the European Union enabled a number of cooperatives to focus on elevating the quality of its wines. Over the last 25 years the region has seen an over 400% growth in the number of producers. Most of the wineries are family owned and operated. The region has dominated the domestic market share since 2010. While its easy drinking, rich and fruity wines are the darlings of Lisbon cafés and restaurants, the region also features more complex fine wines, especially reds.

Alentejo offers a diverse mix of native grape varieties, varieties with origins in other parts of Portugal and international grapes (e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah). Its predominant wines are approachable and generous red blends, and exciting, aromatic whites wines. What also makes the region special is that it offers the best of ancient and modern winemaking practices, including Talha (amphora) wines.

The region’s terroir is comprised of an undulating topography, a mostly hot and dry climate that makes irrigation necessary, and a mix of heterogeneous soil types including schist, pink marble, granite, limestone, often laid upon a sub-layer of water-retaining clay. Alentejo is threatened by global warming, therefore sustainability is a top priority.

Alentejo has its own DOC/DOP  (appellation) title, as well as a wider Vinho Regional Alentejano designation. The DOP has eight subregions (see map above), which span from the mountains to the hot, dry center of the region: Portalegre, Borba, Évora, Redondo, Reguengos, Granja-Amareleja, Vidigueira and Moura.

There are two levels of certification represented in this group of wines. Wines certified as Denominação de Origem Alentejo (Denominação de Origem Controlada Alentejo also DOC Alentejo) must meet the most restrictive vineyard yields, allowed blending varieties and blending proportion requirements(refer to the label on the left below for what you will see on each bottle of DOC Alentejo wine).

Roughly 80% of the region’s wines are red, with whites wines at 19% and and rosé wine (less than 2%). Blended wines are the rule rather than the exception.

Disclosure: Wines were provided as a media samples. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

To stimulate my anticipation for the upcoming media trip, I indulged in a delightful tasting experience featuring four wonderful wines from Alentejo.

These wines are prime examples of Alentejo’s winemaking prowess, showcasing red blends primarily crafted from indigenous grape varieties and refreshing white wine blends that highlight the vibrant Antão Vaz (pronounced ANT-ow VASH), a captivating white grape native to Alentejo.

Notably, three of these wines hailed from a few of the many wineries we are scheduled to visit on our itinerary: Heredade do Rocim, Adega Cartuxa, and Esporão.

My tasting notes follow:

• 2016 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva – Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Reguengos
  Medium ruby color with black and red fruitdamp clay, exotic spice, cacao aromas with notes of toasty oak. On the palate, it’s medium-full bodied, and harmonious with good acidity, fine-grained tannins and wonderul texture. It shows with ripe blackberry, black plum, black raspberry, red cherry and a hint of cassis flavors accented with cacao, and subtle spice notes. Blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet. Raised in American (60%) and French(40%) oak for 12 months followed by 8 months in bottle 14.5% abv|$24|(90 pts.)
• 2017 Herdade do Rocim Mariana Branco – Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
  Lemon yellow color with melon, green mango, lime zest, and wild flower aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and very fresh with an appealing texture. It shows melon, green mango, lime zest, lemon drop, and nectarine flavors with very appealing saline minerality. Blend of 60% Antão Vaz, 30% Arinto, and 10% Alvarinho. 12.5% abv|SRP – $13 (89 pts.)
  
  From the temperate Vidigueira sub-zone, thanks to cool air rushing in from the Algarve Coast, very refreshing blend paired well with Filipino Chicken and Eggplant Adobo. (
• 2016 Adega da Cartuxa Évora Cartuxa Colheita – Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Évora
  Medium garnet color with a mix of dried and ripe red fruit, cedar, dried rose and a hint of smoke. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and well integrated supple tannins with black cherry, sour cherry, strawberry leather, ripe raspberry, dark chocolate and subtle spice flavors. Blend of 40% Alicante Bouschet, 40% Aragonez, 20% Tincadeira 14% abv| SRP – $25|(91pts)
  
  Paired with with Smoky White Bean, Chicken and Chorizo Stew! 
• 2015 Adega Cooperativa de Borba Alentejo Reserva “The Cork Label” – Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
  Pale ruby color with red cherry, plum, dried herb,cedar aromas with a hint of leather. On the palate, it’s light-bodied, and very fresh with dried Morello cherry, ripe fresh black cherry, red plum and a hint of red currant flavors accented with dried herbs. blend of Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, and Castelão sourced from old vines in the he sub-region of Borba, which was the first Alentejo sub-regions to gain international attention thanks to wines noted for their elegance. Aged for 12 months in 3rd and 4th year French oak barrels + 6 months in bottle thereafter. 13.5% abv|SRP – $18|(89 pts.)

These wonderful wines not only provide exceptional value for the money but also demonstrated their graceful aging characteristics.

Thirsty for more? I invite you to explore my Alentejo On My Mind; Part 1-Sustainability and Alentejo On My Mind; Part 2 – Exploring The Wines of Alentejo articles!

Saúde!