For many Esporão is the face of Portuguese wines. It is the best-selling Portuguese wines in the US, with their Monte Velho label one of the most recognized. However, there is much more to this winery that began in Alentejo 1997. Its commitment to the environment, society, and to non-conformity offer insight to the people behind the wine.
“One Reason For Being: To make the best products from what nature provides in a responsible and inspiring way.”
Esporão is a family company. Their home is in the Douro, beginning in Alentejano, then spreading to Quinta dos Murças. Because they work so closely with the land, they seek to take care of it; because they are part of a community, they seek to operate within a viable economic content. They seek non-conformity, trial and error, to embrace new ideas and reach new heights. They have 194 grape varieties planted in 450 hectares of vineyards with ages up to 40 years old in Alentejano. Quinta dos Murças is located in the heart of the Douro DOC region. There Esporão has two wineries where they utilize both traditional and modern wine making techniques to produce wine and port. In addition to being known for high quality wines and port, Esporão is also known for their well-crafted olive oil.
2014 Herdade do Esparão Monte Velho Branco Vinho Regional Alentejano Portugal ($10): 40% Antão Vaz, 20% Perrum, 40% Roupeiro; clean pale gold; clean pronounced aromas of bright citrus, melon, crisp apples, white flowers, white pepper, fresh cut grass; dry light body wine with balanced medium+ acidity, crisp and refreshing, with a medium + finish.
2013 Esporão Quinta dos Murças ‘Assobio’ Douro Portugal ($14): 40% Touriga Franca, 40% Tinta Roriz, 20% Touriga Nacional; clear deep ruby; clean pronounced aromas of black berries and fruit, baking spices, black pepper, licorice, tobacco, leather, and a vanilla tickle; dry, full body red wine with balanced high acidity and high tannins; rich and round on the palate, juicy fruit with complexity, long, mouth-coating finish; a great value wine.
2011 Esporão Quinta Dos Murças Reserva Douro Portugal ($45): clear deep ruby; clean pronounced aromas of black cherries, black berries, black raspberries, and plums, dried red flowers, white pepper, fresh mint, warm baking spices, savory herbal notes, licorice, dried tobacco, and black tea; dry full body wine with balanced high acidity and tannins that are well integrated, muscular in profile, complex, mouth-coating flavors, textural, long finish.
In Alentejano, the doors of Esporão are open to visitors each day. They offer guided tours of the wineries, vineyards, and cellars, tastings of wine, port and olive oil, as well as offer a modern wine bar/shop and a restaurant featuring local ingredients paired with their wines. To learn more about Esporão I encourage you to visit their web site. Like all Portuguese wines, Esporão wines are a great value. I encourage you to seek them out at your favorite local wine retailers and online. You will be pleased with the affordability and quality of these wines.
My Song Selection: Unconventional and classic wines with soul and quality…
Get your own bottle of Esporão wine and let me know what song you pair with it. Cheers!
