Cortes de Cima Incognito Vinho Regional Alentejano 2009
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Vidigueira, Alentejo's southernmost demarcated wine region, has been a wine-growing area since before the Roman occupation. The Romans used 'Talhas' (huge clay urns or amphorae) for fermenting and storing wines, a practice still in use today, and symbolized by the 'Talha' on our label.
Ancient olive groves, with olive trees up to 2,000 years old, share the land with citrus groves, vineyards and Romans ruins. Here Caesar imposed his 'Pax Julia'. Here Vasco da Gama was established as Conde (Count) in 1519 upon his return from his Voyages of discovery.
The brilliant white monte (farmhouse), straddling the hillside with sweeping views across the vineyard and to the hills beyond, has been home to the Jørgensens since 1988. The property, a solely family owned and run enterprise, produces a wide range of agricultural produce, such as cereals, sunflowers, grapes, olives, melons and tomatoes, the latter being transformed into Dried Tomatoes in their own purpose built industrial drier. Hans Kristian Jørgensen, Danish, with a background in mechanical engineering coupled with a practical agricultural experience gained in many years of working in tropical plantation management, is assisted by his Californian wife Carrie.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Responsible for a majority of Portugal’s fine wine production—and over half of the world’s cork production—Alentejo represents a major force in Portugal’s wine industry. This southern Portugese region is characterized by stretches of rolling plains and vineyards dotted with majestic cork oaks. Access to land enables the farmers of Alentejo to produce wines in great economies of scale, without compromising quality, compared to those regions to the north. The region of Alentejo indeed covers a third of the country.
Its classified (DOP) wines must come from one of eight subregions, where elevations are a bit higher, air cooler and less fertile soils are perfect for vines. The optimal regions are Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Granja-Amareleja, Vidigueira, Evora and Moura. Alentejo is not without the conveniences of modern winemaking as well. Irrigation supplements low rainfall and temperature control in the winery assures high quality wines.
The potential of the area has attracted many producers and its wine production continues to grow. Alentejo’s charming, fruit-forward wines have naturally led to local and global popularity.
White wines tend to be blends of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro and Arinto. However, in growing proportions, the white grapes Verdelho, Alvarinho and Viognier have been enjoying success. But red varieties actually exceed whites in Alentejo. Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Castelão grapes blend well together and are responsible for most of the Alentejo reds.