The boutique w i ner ies

PORTUGAL IS HOME TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED WINES, BUT OUTSIDE OF THE BIG FAMOUS BRANDS, THERE ARE SOME EXCITING OFFERINGS FROM THE SMALL, OFTEN FAMILY-OWNED VINEYARDS

Words: LÍVIA MOKRI

WINEMAKERS, viticulturists and wine enthusiasts all have a different slant on what constitutes a boutique winery. What the wine community generally agrees on is that a boutiqueclass winery is one with a production of between 2,500 to 5,000 cases per year, and occasionally up to 10,000. The boutique wineries are typically owned by wine-passionate couples or business partners who have decided to try their hand at winemaking. Sometimes celebrities and sports figures venture into this very specialised business.

One key characteristic that sets boutique wineries apart is the size of the vineyard. A boutique wine is usually one of a small-run or limited-production, where personal attention is paid to each and every vine, and soil is minimally tilled to preserve the micro-organisms active underground.

And while many big wine companies use chemicals to produce larger quantities of wine and preserve them longer, the boutique wineries use fewer additives and chemicals.

Meet two of Portugal’s talented artisanal makers.

A trip to Burgundy combined with an enormous passion for wine awoke the long-held dream of brothers Pedro and Rui Patrício. Returning from France, Pedro planted a one-hectare vineyard with 36 lines near Estremoz, in the Alentejo wine region, with a view to producing limited edition boutique wines in that replicate the greatness of Burgundy wines.

The tapered bottle has a distinct personality and the labels are designed by the great architect Siza Vieira, and feature the star of the brand, Já Te Disse, grandfather Ramiro’s mongrel dog who has always had a strong connection to the family. Since they are committed to the protection of the environment, the winery uses Amorim cork stoppers, which are produced in a sustainable manner.

The harvest is completely manual and carried out at dawn so that the grapes arrive at the cellar with all their freshness preserved.

The first wines were launched in 2021 and each bottle of wine is numbered and hand-labelled. jatedisse.com/en

Já Te Disse Alicante Bouschet The brothers’ special edition of red wine was made from 100% Alicante Bouschet grapes in 2020. It has intense smoky-sweet aromas on the nose with very ripe black fruits, and notes of sweet tobacco and black pepper mixed with black plum, black cherry and blackberry. Dense and silky on the palate, this is a young and contained wine with enormous potential. It has an excellent structure, strong acidity, and robust but somewhat raw tannins. The persistent finish reveals its ageing potential. The wine should be served at a temperature of 16-18°C. It pairs well with barbecued foods, grilled vegetables, or roast beef. jatedisse.com/en/products/tinto-alicante-bouschet

Já Te Disse Rosé The winery’s first limited-edition rosé from the vintage of 2021 is a blend of the Aragonez (40%), Touriga Nacional (30%) and Syrah (30%) grape varieties.

A beautiful salmon colour, its fine and lively aromas reveal a complex profile of forest fruits – raspberry, blueberry and strawberry – on the nose, with a hint of tobacco and green peppercorn.

On the palate, it is an elegant fruity wine, with notes of aromatic herbs; it has an elevated acidity and an easy-drinking character with a medium persistent finish.

Best served at a temperature of 10-12°C, it partners successfully with white and cured meat, harvested vegetables, or dishes with aromatic green herbs. This excellent rosé with its freshness and lightness is highly recommended summertime drinking. jatedisse.com/en/products/rose