Region and Vineyards
Douro is Portugal's most emblematic wine region, a dramatic amphitheatre of terraced slopes carved from schist. Sheltered by the Serra do Marão, it experiences a warm, continental climate whose nuances shift across three sub-regions: cooler, wetter Baixo Corgo in the west; warmer, drier Cima Corgo at the heart; and hot, arid Douro Superior to the east. Schist bedrock splits into vertical plates, enabling roots to delve deep for scarce moisture—vital in this increasingly drought-prone landscape.
VZ Tinto is sourced from vineyards in the Cima Corgo—notably the Torto, Pinhão and Douro valleys—planted as traditional field blends. Around 30 Portuguese red varieties contribute to the assemblage, with Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz typically central to regional blends, supported by Barroca, Tinto Cão and others. Old vines and mixed plantings lend natural balance, aromatic layering and a mineral line emblematic of the Douro's schistous soils.
Winemaking
Hand-selected grapes are foot-trodden in granite lagares for one to three days pre-fermentation to achieve gentle yet thorough extraction. Fermentation begins in granite, then completes in temperature-controlled stainless steel (22-27 °C) with pigeage by hand. This marriage of tradition and control preserves fruit purity while building structure.
The wines are racked to one- and two-year French oak barrels (225 and 300 L) to undergo malolactic conversion and mature 21 months before blending and bottling. Tech data: 14% abv; pH 3.72; TA 5.8 g/L; VA 0.9 g/L; sugars < 0.6 g/L.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep ruby with youthful purple hues; bright rim and strong saturation.
- Aroma: Red cherry, wild berry and plum layered with hints of licorice, tobacco leaf and subtle oak spice; a suggestion of warm stone.
- Palate: Full-bodied and rounded with ripe berry depth, fine-grained tannins and a savoury, schist-tinged line; balanced acidity carries a long, satisfying finish.
Did you know?
Traditional foot-treading in lagares—once waning—endures in the Douro for premium wines because it delivers remarkably even, gentle extraction; today it stands alongside piston-plungers and robotic lagares as the benchmark for quality.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Roast lamb with rosemary: The wine's spice-tinged fruit and firm tannins complement savoury lamb and herbal aromatics.
- Posta Mirandesa (Portuguese steak): Concentrated berry fruit and oak polish match the cut's richness; acidity refreshes each bite.
- Mushroom and truffle risotto: Earthy umami echoes the wine's savoury depth while its structure counters creamy textures.
- Aged Serra da Estrela cheese: Tannins and acidity slice through richness; red-fruit core keeps the pairing lively.
