SUSTAINABLE ALENTEJO WINES
blog | July 11, 2020 – 8:34pm | By Catherine Fallis
Evan Goldstein MS and João Barroso, WASP Director of Sustainability hosted an informative “Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Webinar” last week, facilitated by Kate Morgan-Corcoran and Jane Kettlewell of Creative Palate Communications.
According to the organizers, “Portugal’s Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) region is internationally recognized for its award-winning Sustainability Program (WASP), which in just five years has established the region as one of the world’s most progressive when it comes to sustainability. WASP objectives include reducing costs and increasing economic viability via a proactive approach to environmental and social concerns. Initiatives range from biodiversity to soil management, renewable energy, and water conservation. WASP members account for about 45% of Alentejo vineyard area and include all of Alentejo’s key players.”
Participants were sent five wines, all active in Wines of Alentejo’s Sustainability Program. While Evan took us through the flight with his expert palate, Joao provided on the ground intel from the region, commenting that the energy being saved through WASP was significant, but the water savings were even more dramatic. “It is like saving an Olympic pool worth of water,” he said.
PLANET GRAPE WINE REVIEW
2018 Esporao Vinho Regional Alentejano Portugal: 90
14%, 750 ml, $16
Full, fresh, tart and dry with notes of lemon, ginger, dill, hay bale and lilac. Antao Vaz/Viosinho/Alvarinho
2018 Herdade dos Grous Vinho Regional Alentejano Portugal: 90
13.5%, 750 ml, $19
Light bodied, chewy, fresh and dry with notes of strawberry, cherry and chocolate mint. Alicante Bouschet/Touriga Nacional/Aragonez/Syrah
2018 Casa Relvas Sao Miguel do Sul Vinho Regional Alentejano Portugal: 90
14%, 750 ml, $12
Full, fresh, lightly gripping and dry with notes of cherry, red licorice, stewed meat with tomatoes and nutmeg. Aragonez/Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Coelheiros Alentejo DOC Portugal: 91
14%, 750 ml, $20
Full, chewy, ripe and dry with notes of mulberry, blackberry, plum, fig, dark chocolate, cedar and pencil shavings. Aragonez/Alicante Bouschet
2014 Carmim Reguengos Garrafeira Dos Socios Alentejo DOC Portugal: 91
14.5%, 750 ml, $48
Full, ripe, chewy and dry “stockholder’s reserve” with notes of plum, cassis, fig, raisin, cedar, clove and nutmeg. Opens and softens with aeration. Alicante Bouschet/Touriga Nacional/Trincadeira
