The harvest started in the 1st of September and we expect it lasts until the end of the month. This year, the quantity of grapes increased side by side with the quality, which seems to be at an excellence level.

Amongst the vineyards, our farm workers cut the bunches and select the best ones to go to the winery, where it will get started the whole vinification process. The first grapes that entered the winery were from the Arinto grape variety, the ones we normally use for Quinta de Santa Cristina white sparkling wines. Then, took place the Alvarinho grapes harvest, since it is a early maturation grape variety that matures ealier than almost all the other ones. This variety produces wines with a high alcohol content as well as fruity or floral profiles, depending on the different altitudes at the vineyards are planted. After Alvarinho, it is time to pick all the other varieties, such as Batoca, Azal, Trajadura, Loureiro and, at last, the red grape varieties – Vinhão, Padeiro, Espadeiro,…

This year, we expect wines with high alcohol content paired with very well-balanced acidity comparing to the previous years, result of the heat in the June and July months. Thus, 2020’s vintage will be marked by structured, full-bodied and very intense in terms of both aromatic and flavor wines, making this one of the best vintages or, perhaps, the best of them all.

Cheers!  

O conteúdo The magic season is here! aparece primeiro em Quinta de Santa Cristina.

The first step is the grapes harvest. To produce this wine, we had selected the best Alvarinho grapes. After multiple tastings and exchange of views between our winemakers, we started the vinification, which the fermentation took place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. After the fermentation process and a short period of time “resting” in the vats, we put the wine inside French oak barrels for 7 months with batonnage in the first 30 days. After the aging time, we began working on the bottling and labelling, both processes totally done totally by the careful hands of our workers. After filling the bottles with this precious liquid and putting the cork, they were ready to go to the next step – the labelling. All this process required a lot of accuracy, from the seal on the neck of the bottle and the stamp on top of the neck, the placement of the tape, until the application of the label and the back label.

Everything had been thought carefully, from the box and bottle’s choice until the tones and textures of the label.

About the color, we picked black, synonym of prestige and luxury that expresses timelessness. We want this wine to result in every occasion, since more serious celebrations until friends’ gatherings.

Tasting Notes

Well-defined aromas, refined and elegant. Hints of orange and tangerine paired with a very soft toast from the French oak. In the mouth, it feels deep and creamy, full-bodied, with subtle citric acidity. A very complex white from the World, elegant and sophisticated.

As the name says, Reserve it in your memory!

Great Wines Make Great Memories

O conteúdo Every detail tells a story… aparece primeiro em Quinta de Santa Cristina.

WHAT YOU NEED:
_ 1 cup of arboreous rice
_ 1 medium onion
_ 2 garlic cloves
_ ½ pound of portobello mushrooms

_ ½ pound of asparagus
_ 1 tablespoon of butter
_ 1L of vegetable broth
_ ½ glass of Quinta de Santa Cristina Reserva white sparkling wine
_ Olive oil
_ Black pepper to taste
_ Nutmeg to taste
_ grated Parmesan cheese
_ Sea salt to taste

HOW TO COOK:
Finely chop the onion and the garlic cloves and braise them with olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice and when it has taken a golden color, pour in the sparkling wine and stir until the wine is fully absorbed. Then, add the sliced mushrooms and some of the asparagus and cover with some broth and let it cook. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. When the broth evaporates, add a little bit more until covering the rice and vegetables again. Repeat this process continuously until the broth is finished. After this, the rice should be creamy, remaining moist instead of totally dry. Then, mix the butter, correct the seasonings, add the Parmesan and sprinkle with nutmeg. Serve immediately and decorate with the remaining asparagus.

To pair this delicious dish, we recommend the remaining Quinta de Santa Cristina Reserve sparkling white wine used in the recipe.
ENJOY YOUR MEAL!

O conteúdo Quinta de Santa Cristina wine pairs… mushroom and asparagus risotto aparece primeiro em Quinta de Santa Cristina.