The wine and gastronomy critic for Jornal de Negócios was “surprised – and in a good way” by Quinta dos Lagares Mourisco 2015. Edgardo Pacheco argues that this is a “special rosé at different levels”, due to the particular aromas and flavors it presents and because “it is the result of a grape variety that is not very popular in the Douro and is practically unknown to consumers”.
The journalist also gives an account of the originality and peculiar history that gave rise to Quinta dos Lagares’ rosé, pointing out that “Mourisco is a red variety that exists in old vineyards, but because it gives wines with little color, it is no longer interesting”, with the aggravating factor that Mourisco bunches ripen early and are in a very advanced state of ripeness when the harvest takes place. It was, in fact, because they were confronted with this reality in 2014 that the Quinta dos Lagares team decided, in 2015, to pick the Mourisco grapes earlier so that they could be used for a rosé.
“It was a great idea,” says the journalist, “not only because this is the only Mourisco rosé in Portugal, but above all because it’s a model wine. In other words, it’s fresh, with unusual aromas that aren’t cloying at all.” To accompany pasta, grilled meats, salads or sushi,” he concludes, “this is a wine that was born out of a happy accident. It may well make some history in the Douro and beyond”.