What?
Juice 2018 Douro, Esteva, Casa Ferreirinha, Douro Valley, POR
Grape 35% Tinta Roriz , 30% Tinta Barroca, 20% Touriga Franca, 15% Touriga Nacional
Farming Traditional
Tasting Note Intense aromas of ripe strawberries and juicy cherries. The palate is smooth, with well integrated acidity giving and polished tannins support floral aromas and fresh red fruits.
Who?
Founded in 1952, with the production of the first ever vintage of Barca Velha, Casa Ferreirinha pioneered the quality revolution in Douro still wines and was the first producer in the region dedicated entirely to producing wine, rather than port. Named after the legendary Porto matriarch Dona Antónia Ferreira, Casa Ferreirinha, pays homage to the memory of this visionary woman. Today, the winemaking is headed up by Luís Sottomayor, who restrains the Douro’s natural exuberance to produce wines that have a vibrant freshness allied to a lovely texture and depth.
Why?
Casa Ferreirinha is the pre-eminent wine producer in the Douro valley, the producer of the legendary Barca Velha. They excel in producing wines of exceptional quality regardless of the price point. Esteva is their entry level offering but the wine still displays all the hallmarks of the producer with a focus on quality, balance and regional typicity. This wine is a classic expression of a Portuguese field blend at a very attractive price point, again we are looking at Quality v Price ratio and it delivers in spades.
With?
Much like its southern compatriot the Trinca Bellotas, the Esteva would be an excellent accompaniment to a range of meaty stews having enough structure to hold combat the richness of a stew whilst having the freshness and fruit content required to cut through the meaty, savoury flavours. More intense cured meats such as salami with black pepper, bresaola and cured venison.
