Winemaker Notes
Quinta dos Murcas dates back to 1714 and is one of three estates owned and operated by the Esporao, one of Portugal’s leading producers of fine wine. As of 2021, the entire estate has been certified organic, a reflection of Esporao’s commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture. Murcas is nestled on the right bank of the Douro River, between the towns of Regua and Pinhao. Stretching over 3.2 km along the riverfront, mainly with southern exposure, Quinta dos Murças encompasses a total of 155 ha (383 acres), of which 48ha (118 acres) are vineyards with indigenous grape varieties. The estate is distinguished by the remarkably vertical topography of its slopes covered in vines that boast dozens of native grape varieties. In fact, Quinta dos Murças pioneered the practice of vertical vineyards in the Douro Valley. Characterized by 8 different terroirs, those viewing Murças from a distance are unable to fully comprehend its true size or realize the many different exposures and soil diversity within its steep slopes. Under the leadership of Winemaker, Jose Luis Moreira da Silva, Murças produces award winning wines year after year that enhance the reputation of both the Douro and Portugal.
Best known for intense, impressive and age-worthy fortified wines, Portugal relies almost exclusively on its many indigenous grape varieties. Bordering Spain to its north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean on its west and south coasts, this is a land where tradition reigns supreme, due to its relative geographical and, for much of the 20th century, political isolation. A long and narrow but small country, Portugal claims considerable diversity in climate and wine styles, with milder weather in the north and significantly more rainfall near the coast.
While Port (named after its city of Oporto on the Atlantic Coast at the end of the Douro Valley), made Portugal famous, Portugal is also an excellent source of dry red and white Portuguese wines of various styles.
The Douro Valley produces full-bodied and concentrated dry red Portuguese wines made from the same set of grape varieties used for Port, which include Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Spain’s Tempranillo), Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão, among a long list of others in minor proportions.
Other dry Portuguese wines include the tart, slightly effervescent Vinho Verde white wine, made in the north, and the bright, elegant reds and whites of the Dão as well as the bold, and fruit-driven reds and whites of the southern, Alentejo.
The nation’s other important fortified wine, Madeira, is produced on the eponymous island off the North African coast.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.