The story of Ramos Pinto’s Duas Quintas unfolds against the backdrop of the Douro Valley, a region renowned for its rugged beauty and rich winemaking history. For decades, the Douro Valley was synonymous with a single table wine, Barca Velha, until the emergence of new players in the 1970s and 1990s reshaped the landscape. Among these newcomers were Quinta do Côtto’s Grand Eschola and Ramos Pinto’s Duas Quintas. This essay delves into the history, significance, winemaking techniques, grape varieties, and tasting notes of Ramos Pinto’s Duas Quintas, shedding light on its pivotal role in the evolution of Douro table wines.
Before exploring Duas Quintas in detail, it is essential to understand the historical context in which it emerged. From 1952 to the 1970s, Barca Velha stood as the lone star of Douro table wines. This period was characterized by a relative lack of diversity in the region’s wine offerings. However, change was on the horizon, and it began with the introduction of Quinta do Côtto’s Grand Eschola, signifying a shift towards greater variety and quality.
Ramos Pinto’s Duas Quintas, a major protagonist in this narrative, entered the scene later, with the release of its red wine in 1990, followed by the Reserva in 1991. These wines played a crucial role in setting new standards for Douro table wines, catalyzing a burst of activity that swept through the region in the mid-1990s. Duas Quintas’ impact on Douro winemaking would not have been possible without the visionary winemaker behind it, João Nicolau de Almeida.
João Nicolau de Almeida: The Visionary Winemaker
João Nicolau de Almeida’s association with Ramos Pinto began in 1976, marking the beginning of a transformative era for the winery. His influence extended beyond Duas Quintas, as he worked alongside José Ramos Pinto Rosas to select the five key grape varieties recommended for the Douro region. This decision was pivotal in shaping the future of Douro winemaking by focusing on a select few varieties amidst the plethora grown in the region.
Moreover, João Nicolau de Almeida’s innovative approaches to vineyard planting in the Douro paved the way for mechanization, making the cultivation process more efficient and sustainable. His contributions to Douro viticulture were multifaceted, reflecting his commitment to both tradition and progress.
Duas Quintas: The Winemaking Process
The Duas Quintas wines derive their distinct character from the two primary vineyards used in their production: Quinta da Ervamoira and Quinta dos Bons Ares. These vineyards are perched high up in the Douro Valley, situated in the warmer Douro Superior region near Foz Côa. The geographical location and terroir of these vineyards play a vital role in shaping the wines’ profile.
The winemaking process of Duas Quintas is a testament to precision and dedication. Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and transported to the winemaking center in small boxes to ensure their integrity. At the winery reception, the grapes are subjected to rigorous selection based on variety and vineyard origin.
The extraction of grape must involves a process of cold maceration, followed by direct pressing. Subsequently, the clean must is fermented using two distinct methods: 90% in stainless steel vats at low temperatures and 10% in French oak casks. This combination of fermentation vessels contributes to the complexity and character of Duas Quintas wines.
Grape Varieties: A Symphony of Flavors
The blend of grape varieties in Duas Quintas wines is a harmonious composition, carefully orchestrated to achieve balance and depth of flavor. The following grape varieties are masterfully blended to create a captivating wine:
Rabigato: 50% Viosinho: 25% Arinto: 15% Gouveio: 5% Codega: 5%
These grape varieties interplay to produce a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts, each contributing unique characteristics to the final blend.
Technical Information and Tasting Notes
Before we delve into the tasting notes, it is worth noting the technical details that shape the Duas Quintas wines:
Alcohol Content: 13.5% Acidity: 6.4g/l
Duas Quintas wines invite a sensory journey, captivating the palate and the senses. Here are the tasting notes for these remarkable wines:
Appearance: The wines present themselves as clean and bright, adorned with a golden hue and amber reflections.
Aroma: The nose reveals a fine and expressive bouquet, dominated by citrus aromas that harmonize with the presence of ripe fruits, notably apricot and peach. Floral notes emerge, a characteristic feature of white wines from this region.
Palate: On the palate, Duas Quintas wines assert their full-bodied, elegant, and finely tuned character. They reflect the exceptional quality of the grapes used in their production, embodying a sense of balance and finesse that defines their essence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ramos Pinto’s Duas Quintas has left an indelible mark on the landscape of Douro table wines. Its emergence, along with other pioneering wines, marked a significant shift in the region’s winemaking history. The visionary winemaker, João Nicolau de Almeida, played a central role in this transformation, not only by introducing exceptional wines but also by shaping the very vines that bear the grapes.
The winemaking process of Duas Quintas, drawing from the unique terroir of Quinta da Ervamoira and Quinta dos Bons Ares, showcases a commitment to quality and innovation. The grape blend, carefully selected and blended to perfection, results in wines that are both sophisticated and approachable.
Duas Quintas wines beckon wine enthusiasts on a sensory journey, inviting them to savor the richness of the Douro Valley’s terroir. With their clean, bright appearance, expressive aroma, and balanced palate, these wines encapsulate the essence of a region that has come into its own as a powerhouse of table wine production.
As we reflect on the evolution of Douro table wines, Ramos Pinto’s Duas Quintas stands as a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation, a journey that has enriched the world of wine and elevated the Douro Valley to its current status as a globally recognized wine-producing region.
