Vintage

2019

Varietal

Touriga Nacional– a red grape variety that originates from Portugal. Grown on a single cordon wire, the vines that grew the grapes that made this wine were hand pruned and hand-picked. Once harvested, the grapes are placed in a cool room prior to being delivered to the winery. Touriga Nacional is a moderate yielding grape variety. Bunches and berries tend to be smaller than a number of other Portuguese varieties. Despite the moderate yields, the vineyard responsible for growing the grapes is crop thinned to ensure the desired quality is achieved.

The Story

The most recognised and widely planted Portuguese grape variety in Australia, Touriga Nacional has the reputation of making wines of quality. A versatile grape variety, it can be used to make red, rosé and fortified wines. The farming practices adopted in the Portuguese Paddock (the name of the vineyard that is the home of Terra do Rio) are sustainable. The use of drought tolerant rootstocks assists in limiting the amount of water needed for irrigation. Preventing fungal diseases is achieved via the application of sulphur. Mechanical methods, such as under vine knifing and mid-row slashing are employed to manage weeds, and the planting of native pine trees on the boundary of the vineyard has occurred to isolate the Portuguese Paddock from neighbouring vineyards that use commercial farming practices (prevents spray drift). The natural yeast found in the vineyard and winery fermented this wine. Old oak barrels are used to store the wine for fourteen months.

Cases Produced

100

Price includes delivery in Australia.

Vintage

2019

Varietal

Tinta Amarela or Trincadeira is an extensively planted Portuguese red grape variety traditionally used to make port wine (found throughout the Douro & Alentejo regions). It is a grape variety that is rare in Australia with only very few plantings.

The Story

It is a large berry and bunched variety that is prone to bunch rots, making it a difficult grape variety to grow in cool and wet viticulture regions. The 2019 Terra do Rio Tinta Amarela grows in red loam soil that covers a layer of calcareous rock. The vineyard is hand pruned and hand harvested. All the grapes are picked into half tonne picking bins and chilled for 24 hrs before crushing. This wine has been fermented via indigenous yeast (wild ferment) in old French oak. The use of animal by-products has been forbidden throughout the winemaking process, so this wine is vegan friendly. This wine is unfiltered and appears cloudy. The sediment may fall out of suspension over time and create a crust in the bottle (harmless and perfect to eat)! The wine is full of forest floor and savoury flavours. The relatively low alcohol (11%) adds another level of interest and complexity to this wine. Harvested in March 2019 and bottled in August the same year.

Cases Produced

65

Price includes delivery in Australia.