Viticulture >
Temperatures and rainfall during the winter were close to the seasonal average for the
region, but temperatures rose substantially during the spring, and this accelerated the
vines’ growth cycle. The considerable heat continued during the summer with virtually
no rainfall from the middle of May. However, the advanced growth cycle and the good
management of the water reserves accumulated during the winter and beginning of
spring, and the diurnal temperature variation (hot days, cool nights), typical of higher
altitudes, favoured balanced and complete ripening, all the more remarkable in such a
hot, dry year. The harvest was one of the earliest in living memory and it was possible to
harvest selectively, ensuring that all the parcels were picked at the right time. Low yields,
combined with excellent maturations, paved the way for wines of great concentration and
of exceptional quality
Winemaking >
The hand-picked grapes are placed in small, shallow boxes and taken to the on-site winery.
Manual sorting is followed by destemming and gentle crushing after which grapes are
transferred to the fermentation vats. Fermentations are individually monitored, and the
temperature and macerations are adjusted to maximise the potential of each fermenting
batch. A period of post fermentation maceration follows to encourage the extraction of
some tannin from the pips to complement those extracted from the grape skins. This adds
structure and longevity to the wines.
Alicante Bouschet
12
PORTUGAL
3
Cork
Anselmo Mendes
Fact Sheet