| Grainha Tinto 2005 (Grainha Red Wine 2005) is a wine worth noting, not because it is a superb or extraordinary wine, but because it is a good example of balance between what winegrowers may offer in terms of quality and market price. The final consumer will have to spend about € 10/11 to buy a bottle of Grainha. This wine is part of the wine assortment launched this year into the market by QUINTA NOVA de Nossa Senhora do Carmo estate and which has been recently introduced to the public in this estate belonging to the family of Americo Amorim. In addition to an A-rated 85 hectar vineyard, a modern and full equipped winery, a wine shop and a cellar for storing barrels, QUINTA NOVA estate provides also a country estate hotel, the first wine hotel in Portugal. This hotel is the result of a careful rehabilitation of the existing old manor house dating back to the 18th century. Benefiting from a splendid location at the right bank of the Douro River and situated between Régua and Pinhão, this estate is runned by a team of women leaded by Mrs Luísa Amorim. Only the wine is made by Mr Francisco Montenegro, an oenologist. Grainha red wine is the result of the first grape harvest at QUINTA NOVA estate and is based on a selection of in-house grape varieties (Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Amarela). After being stored for 15 months in new oak barrels (mainly American oak wine barrels), this wine provides a fantastic aromatic impact, full of ripe red fruit, touches of spices, a good acidity and a warm finish. Grainho Tinto is an easy wine, meaning that it pleases almost all consumers and does not poses a great problem at the time of being served. Some 6,000 bottles of Grainho Tinto were bottled. QUINTA NOVA Reserva Tinto is the result of a selection of the best 60 barrels of wine. This wine has an intense bouquet and a greater complexity and has to be left to rest in bottle for some time more. This wine (approx. €25.00) is scheduled to be launched next September into the market. Grande Reserva (approx. €30.00) is the result of an exclusive wine selection of 6 barrels and will be also put on sale to the public in September. All 2,200 bottles of Grande Reserva are almost sold. For less demanding consumers QUINTA NOVA sells bottles (white wine, red wine and rosé wine) labelled with a “Três Pomares” label, whose price is approximately €5.00. José Augusto Moreira |
