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🇵🇹 Portugal /Economy & Trade

Vale Mercê: Douro's new wine brand captures regional identity

From Público · (2d ago) Portuguese Positive tone

Translated from Portuguese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A Portuguese winery, Vale Mercê, has launched its own wine brand, aiming to capture the identity of traditional wines from the Douro region.
  • The brand, established in 2022, produced over 60,000 bottles in its first harvest (2024), selling out its entire stock and increasing production to 160,000 bottles this year.
  • The wines, primarily using Avesso and Arinto grape varieties, are praised for their quality and are being served at the Gentleman restaurant in Resende.

Vale Mercê, a name synonymous with quality wine in the Douro region, has successfully transitioned from a vineyard to a distinct wine brand. This venture, driven by Manuel Correia's vision, aims to bottle the authentic character of the region's traditional wines. The brand's rapid success, with its first harvest selling out and production significantly increasing, highlights a strong market demand for wines that authentically represent their origin.

É o melhor restaurante da zona, com gastronomia óptima, produtos e produtores locais

— Ricardo MagalhãesThe enologist describes the Gentleman restaurant as the best in the area, highlighting its excellent local gastronomy and producers.

The creation of the Vale Mercê brand in 2022 was a deliberate step, involving the construction of a modern winery and the collaboration of Manuel's son, José Pedro, and renowned enologist Ricardo Magalhães. This blend of family dedication and expert knowledge has clearly paid off, as evidenced by the sell-out of their initial 60,000 bottles and the ambitious expansion to 160,000 bottles this year.

As qualidades do chefe cozinheiro e proprietário, Idalécio Pereira, um serviço diferenciado, incluindo vinhos, menus e pratos variados de alta qualidade

— Ricardo MagalhãesThe enologist praises the chef and owner of the Gentleman restaurant for his qualities and the establishment's differentiated service.

The wines themselves, predominantly featuring the Avesso and Arinto grape varieties native to the Vinhos Verdes region, are a testament to the unique terroir. The vineyard's location in Resende, with its granite soils and specific microclimate, allows for low yields and excellent phenolic maturation, contributing to the distinctive quality of the Avesso grape. The brand offers a range of wines, from the accessible Pipa do Canto to the more premium Grande Escolha selections, all designed to showcase the identity of Vale Mercê.

A produção é tendencialmente baixa – no máximo, 6 a 7 toneladas por hectare – os solos são ricos em água e com temperaturas idênticas ao Douro. Temos sempre boa maturação fenólica, há uma grande capacidade para termos sempre bons avessos

— Ricardo MagalhãesThe enologist explains the low production yields and soil conditions that contribute to the quality of the Avesso grapes.

Partnering with the Gentleman restaurant in Resende, known for its excellent local gastronomy and high-quality service, further elevates the Vale Mercê brand. This collaboration ensures that the wines are presented in an environment that complements their quality, allowing diners to experience the true essence of the Douro.

Mas a casta é mesmo avessa, não garantimos igual todos os anos

— Ricardo MagalhãesThe enologist notes the variability of the Avesso grape, acknowledging that consistent quality isn't guaranteed every year.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Público in Portuguese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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