Page 48 - Code de Vino, #17/23, a/w 2018

46 Feature Story Code de Vino #17 Code de Vino #17 Boas Quintas (The Dão Valley). Quinta da Giesta Wines 47
Family farm history From 1987 till 2001, Nuno was the manager and winemaker Wines
at Quinta da Romeira in the Bucelas wine region. Working
Boas Quintas is a family winemaking company with over closely with Arinto, a white grape variety, he was one of the Boas Quintas wines won three gold medals at Portugal Wine
135 years of tradition. The main farm of Quinta da Giesta main contributors to its recovery through clone selection and Trophy 2018, one of the top wine competitions in Portugal.
was founded in 1884, and since then the company has been differentiating vinification methods. Thanks to his efforts, The gold medals were awarded to Fonte do Ouro Red 2016,
owned by the family of the current owner and winemaker at the moment the new and improved Arinto is present Herdade de Gâmbia Red 2017 and Quinta da Giesta Red 2016.
Nuno Cancela de Abreu. in all Portuguese wine regions, and is considered one
of Portugal's best white grapes. Fonte do Ouro Red 2016 is a blend of Touriga Nacional,
According to a family legend, the area where Quinta da Giesta Alfrocheiro and Jaen aged for six months in French oak barrels.
2
is located now used to be occupied by a 5-km ancient Throughout his career, Nuno has also assisted other The wine has gooseberry and cherry aromas, and a freshness
glacier lake. Due to natural processes, the water level began projects with his winemaking services, and in 2001 founded on the palate complemented by smooth and elegant tannins
to recede, turning the lake into a wetland with lush greenery, a wine consulting company, NCA Consultores, to better typical of the best Dão wines.
including lavender, heather, rosemary and broom shrub (part respond to market needs.
of the legume family). In Portuguese, this shrub is called The company has fully re-equipped its production facility Herdade de Gâmbia Red 2017 is a young, straightforward and
Giesta, after which the vineyards were later named. to create a modern laboratory in which all production In the fall of 2010, he decided to dedicate all of his charming wine with fruit notes on the palate and nose, presenting
stages are fully monitored, and the highest quality of wines experience in viticulture and winemaking exclusively to a good balance between fruitiness, acidity and tanninity.
can be ensured with a focus on bringing out the unique the Boas Quintas project in order to develop it sustainably. Wine of a bright ruby red color with ripe red fruits and
nuances of each region. Striving for an initiative that would allow him to create high- a light menthol note on the nose.
quality wines with distinctive characters and personalities,
in 1991, Nuno planted a new vineyard and launched the The Portugal Wine Trophy, a competition which since 2014
Winemaker
Quinta da Fonte do Ouro and Quinta da Giesta wine brands. has attracted professionals and wine lovers alike, this year has
a 50-member jury from Portugal and abroad judging 1773 wine
Nuno Cancela de Abreu is from the 4th generation of the contestants.
Cancela de Abreu family, and despite his accomplished In 2016, Nuno Cancela de Abreu was recognized as
academic background, the influence of his family was the key Winemaker of the Year, while Boas Quintas earned the title
factor in his winemaking career. "I inherited the responsibility Company of the Year according to the Revista de Vinhos
magazine.
of continuing the legacy of three generations," Nuno Cancela Quinta da Giesta Red 2016
de Abreu says. Boas Quintas wines Region: Dão DOC
Following its philosophy of regional diversity, Boas Quintas Grape Varieties: Touriga
He graduated with a degree in enology in Lisbon from the Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen
Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), and completed his develops the winemaking potential of each region. Here they Alcohol content: 13%
post-graduate education in viticulture & enology at the believe that every wine has a right to its own nature and Total Acidity: 5.8 gr/l
University of Montpellier in southern France. individuality. "Our philosophy is simple: respect the unique
identity of each terroir," Nuno Cancela de Abreu states. pH: 3.6
Boas Quintas offers a line of various brands in several Terroir: Clay and limestone soil
His first professional experience was in the Douro wine region,
where he led ADVID activities from 1981 to 1987 regions:
In 1884, the De Abreu family built a winery here and planted Vinification
(an association for pioneering research that has influenced
vines in the nourishing, dense soil. The winery is managed by new wine-producing projects in both Douro and Porto). Dão (DOC Dão): Quinta da Giesta, Fonte do Ouro, Cold skin contact for 2 days,
the fourth generation of the de Abreu family, winemaker and Between 1985 and 1987, he lectured on enology as Gandarada, Agenda da Vinha, Encosta da Vinha followed by a 5-day
innovator Nuno de Abreu, who creates genuine Dão wines. Bucelas (DOC Bucelas): Morgado de Bucelas fermentation at a controlled
a teaching assistant at the University of Trás-os-Montes and
When poured, these wines are fruity with good minerality Alto Douro. In the sphere of education, Nuno Cancela de Setúbal (DOC Setúbal): Herdade de Gâmbia? Pica Peixe 23 ºC. Smooth maceration.
and notes of spices, elegant tannins and depth. Abreu was a representative of the new wave of Portuguese Alentejo (DOC Alentejo): Gamo
Douro (DOC Douro): Cytisus Tasting notes
winemakers, who made indispensable contributions to the
The Sociedade Agrícola Boas Quintas company was development of national winemaking with their in-depth Porto: Craufurd Deep ruby color, a multi-
established by Nuno de Abreu in 1991 on the base of their old layered aroma with red fruit,
subject matter knowledge and understanding of infrastructure. Wine tourism
family farm. His goal was to craft wines of exceptional quality and floral hints typical for
to express their terroir character. Since then, the company has The head winery of Quinta da Giesta is the center of wine Touriga Nacional. Medium-
won a number of international awards, and in 2010 started tourism in the region. Guests are offered tours of the bodied. Smooth on the palate
expanding its winemaking sphere to other regions of Portugal, vineyards and production facilities. The history of the Boas in line with the fruity aroma,
uniting the three largest farms — Quinta da Fonte do Ouro Quintas project and a description of its winemaking an appealing sensation
and Quinta da Giesta in the Dão region, and Herdade de technologies are followed by a commented wine tasting. of freshness and elegant
Gâmbia in the Setubal Peninsula region — among others. tannins
Biodiversity
Corporate philosophy Boas Quintas recognizes the importance of supporting Enogastronomic pairings
biodiversity in winemaking regions. All Boas Quintas wineries Serve between 16º and 18 ºC.
With its newly expanded production, the company's lineup have a common goal of introducing environmentally friendly Goes well with red or white
now showcases the Dão (DOC Dão), Bucelas (DOC Bucelas), winegrowing technologies. This work includes maintaining grilled meat, pasta, spicy
Setubal Peninsula and Alentejo regions, with a strong focus soil health, vineyard and forest pest control, and reducing dishes or medium-strength
on exports. The Boas Quintas philosophy is based on the the overall impact related to winemaking and winegrowing cheeses
diversity of Portuguese wines and ensuring that each wine has (for example, reducing pesticide usage, sustainable water
an expressed concept of its origin and the terroir's character. management, etc.).