In a region that is, once more, drawing attention from all over the world, Quinta do Pinto stands out by the delicacy with which combines the respect for the terroir and the most distinguished international wine varieties.
Alenquer, situated in the Lisbon wine region, houses Quinta do Anjo, an estate with over 120 acres embellished by a 17th century manor-house and traditional winery. Ancient tales tell that the wine produced in this land was worth more “pintos”, or gold coins from King John V’s reign. The coincidence of being Pinto the surname of the current owners of the estate was enough to legitimate the brand Quinta do Pinto, well established in the market by the excellent wine portfolio that offers to wine lovers.
Close to two dozen wine varieties, with special emphasis in on Fernão Pires, Arinto, Touriga nacional, Tinta Miúda, Aragonês, Alfrocheiro, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Syrah and Merlot, are among the house portfolio. The wines are made from blends that unite gather national and international wine varieties, predominantly from the Côtes du Rhône - that the owner likes so much.
The vineyard rests on 53 acres of gentle slopes facing south, protected from the winds by Montejunto Mountain and profiting from the Atlantic Ocean breeze. The great variety of the land, even among parcels, allows an exquisite selection of the wine varieties that respects each one’s identity as well as the singularities of the terroir.
In the cellar, they follow the traditional wine making motto – “the wine is made in the vineyard” – is followed. That is to say, human intervention is reduced to a minimum in order to capture the full potential of the grapes. Though very ancient, the cellar works with the most recent wine-making technology. It has grape reception, pressing and fermentation areas in cement. It also has a laboratory, an aging room and a tasting one. All the fermentations are made with indigenous yeast to increase the potential of the carefully selected grapes.
This love for the detail results in Aromatic, non-acidic, full-bodied, with texture and long finish wines arise from this love for the detail. Wines like “Terras de Anjo”, which introduces harmoniously the French varieties to the region varietals, or “Vinhas do Lasso”, a remarkably balanced wine that shows great freshness and gastronomical aptitude.
The wines “Quinta do Pinto” deserve a special highlight and, in the words of the producer, they express “a single wine variety in the terroir, or the unique combination of two Portuguese wine varieties and two international ones.” The finest - “Quinta do Pinto Grande Escolha” – is a Viognier, Roussane and Chardonnay blend, warmly praised by the expert João Paulo Martins: “The years go by but the wine keeps its great quality, without giving away…. to time and the evolution it will bring along”.
The Alenquer region, well known in the European Courts in the end of the 19th century by the great wines made by its producers, returns to is once again in the pinnacle of international prestige. “Quinta do Pinto” will do whatever it takes to remain there.
