7 декабря 2020 г. в 19:01

Valle do Nídeo Winery, Douro Valley, Portugal

Valle do Nídeo winery is a new member of the Yellow Road from Portugal.

I am grateful to Beatriz Caseiro , Export Manager, for her assistance in preparing this publication.

Vineyards of Valle do Nideo
Vineyards of Valle do Nideo

Oenologist and Valle do Nideo owner Miguel Abrantes answers Yellow Road questions

Miguel Abrantes
Miguel Abrantes

1 - Let's start with the most beautiful bottle (for my taste) that I

saw in your photos? The label reads: Valle do Nídeo Reserva (Douro DOC).

Is this your best wine?

Is not my top wine, I have made some more special editions, but is

really my best recognized red wine. From vintage to vintage, I have

devoted my best skills in improving it.

As winemaker and due to my terroir in Douro Superior, i think my whites

result in elegant, fruity, and delicate wines. Valle do Nídeo collection

is well known by it. I made four white wines each one was a work of my

art as winemaker and as someone who knows the special characteristics of

the unique Douro Superior.

2 - You have 6 vineyards with fantastic views: QUINTA DO DANIEL, QUINTA

DE AZINHATE, QUINTA NOVA DA MOURA, QUINTA DE FONTELAS, QUINTA DA

VERGEIRA and QUINTA DA VEIGA. And which of the vineyards is the is the

most "alpine"? Is there an observation deck there?

The “most alpine” is a place called Alto da Chã with 450 mts at Quinta

do Daniel, there we have a place that has an amazing view of the

vineyards and river.

3 - And the area of these vineyards is 200 hectares. Why do you need so

many vineyards?

Well, Douro was always in the Family, I am the third family generation

here. Some vineyards came from our ancestor’s others were my family and

myself investment around the years.

In Douro, we not only produce Valle do Nideo wines, as well we have some

parcels to produce the grapes for port wines producers with whom we have

a long and traditional business relationship.

Harvesting in the vineyards of Valle do Nideo
Harvesting in the vineyards of Valle do Nideo
Grape bunches of a new harvest
Grape bunches of a new harvest
Harvesting, Valle do Nideo
Harvesting, Valle do Nideo

4 - And for all these 200 hectares (if I'm not mistaken) there is only

one boss - Miguel Abrantes. Did I count correctly?

Yes, this 200 Hectares belongs to me and my family.

5 - Portugal of my childhood - this is footballer Eusebio, it seems

number 10, but I don't remember exactly. And his goal from the penalty

spot to our great goalkeeper Yashin in the match for the 3rd place in

the World Championship.

Great player, now is Cristiano Ronaldo our football star, number 7

The label that started my acquaintance with Valle do Nideo
The label that started my acquaintance with Valle do Nideo
Still life from Valle do Nideo
Still life from Valle do Nideo

7 - Your choice (white wine) for the Yellow Road

I have to choose my Valle do Nídeo Reserva White, because has an

excellent balance, the blend of the Douro grapes, Códega de Larinho,

Rabigato e Viosinho, enhanced by the aging in wood result creaminess,

aromatic depth, which results in a sublime experience.

Panorama with vineyards
Panorama with vineyards

8 - Your vineyards are fantastically beautiful. Do you have your own

(walking) vineyard route?

Yes, Douro, the river side and the high vineyards are during the year a

live painting. In each time of the year the colours in vineyards change

and the river works as a mirror of the sky, all gathers in a unique calm

a peaceful environment, where nature and men work together.

This energy is unique in Douro. That´s why I invite everyone to

experience it, walk in our vineyards.

We have routes not only for us to access and take care of vineyards, but

also to wine tourism activities.

Eusebio and Yashin
Eusebio and Yashin
Eusebio and Pele
Eusebio and Pele

9 - And why are the banks of the Douro River most suitable for

vineyards?

Because, It has a schists soil that maintains temperature during the

night giving a more regular maturation. Favorable to the development of

aromas and complexity.

Douro is also, versatile because the low altitude allows to produce

full-bodied wines with complex and more structured and complex aromas

and the high altitudes, allow wines with acidity and aromatics .

10 - Please share your successes?

For me success is doing what I love honouring my family routes in Douro

and seeing my wines from vintage to vintage being more recognize by the

customers in Portugal and worldwide. All these years, in Portugal we

have received several awards and recognitions. I was convinced this year

to go to awards abroad and was delightful to see my Valle do Nídeo

Alvarinho winning a gold medal at 27 th Mundus Vini Award 2020, first

because is a variety traditional in Vinho Verde region, that I took the

risk to plant it in Douro Superior.

View of the vineyards and the Douro River
View of the vineyards and the Douro River
Autumn in Valle do Nideo
Autumn in Valle do Nideo

11 - And, if not a secret, plans for the future

For the future in the vineyard we want to keep the work we have done the

latest years to improve our vineyards and terroirs, to maximize the

potential that nature gives us.

In the cellar we have some wine lots are in wood, to see what the

future, will decide them to be.

Our cellar and our new equipment’s to improve our quality, are in plan.

12 - Which white wine producer (from Portugal or another country)

do you recommend for the yellow road?

I recommend Quinta das Marias no Dão, Portugal, they have a great

Encruzado.

Sergey Evtuhov,

author of the "Yellow Road" project

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7 декабря 2020 г. в 19:01
Yellow Road
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