In the Sintra municipality there is a small viticultural area that produces a ruby colour wine that with aging acquires an exceptional velvety character and bouquet. It takes several years for the Colares wine to reach maximum quality, although the minimum aging period is 18 months. Due to the long aging period imposed, sales are very limited, making the Colares region a sort of «sanctuary» for connoisseurs of this wine.
The vines of this region have very particular characteristics, due to the proximity of the sea and the strong ocean winds they’re subject to.
Given its geological nature, Colares can be divided into two sub-areas: “sandy soil (the dune area) and the “ hard soil”(calcareous soil). The Colares wine owes its unique qualities to the grape varieties, the soil and the mild, humid climate during summertime, as well as to the fact that 80% of the vines are placed in “sandy soil”, true to the traditional practice of “unhar” - a process necessary for the ungrafted grapevine cuttings to reach the clay soil underlying the layer of sand.
The geographical area corresponding to the Colares Denomination of Origin is situated in the Sintra Municipality between the Mountains and the Ocean next to the sea, encompassing the parishes of Colares, São Martinho and São João das Lampas.
TERROIR
Sandy soils
VARIETIES
Ramisco
VINIFICATION
Mild crushing with partial destemming. Classic fermentation in steel tank followed by 4 years of maturation in exotic wood vats and French oak barrels.
CHARACTERISTICS
A very characteristic nose of this variety, associated to cherry and a light cedar resin. A dry and austere texture with a marked mineral acidity.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
13,5 %vol.
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
18,50 €
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Restaurants and specialized shops in Lisbon and Sintra. Shopping centres: Jumbo Sintra/Cascais/Alfragide/ Amoreiras
TERROIR
Sandy soils
VARIETIES
Malvasia de Colares
VINIFICATION
Fermentation in “bica aberta” (off-skins) process, with slight skin maceration at the press. Fermentation in vat followed by maturation with lees and 6 months in exotic wood casks.
CHARACTERISTICS
Citric and cooked apple notes with a herbaceous background (lemon balm, bees wax,hay), with a long mineral-laden and saline finish.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
12%vol.
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
18,50 €
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Restaurants and specialized shops in Lisbon and Sintra. Shopping centres: Jumbo Sintra/Cascais/Alfragide/ Amoreiras
TERROIR
Clay soils
VARIETIES
Castelão and Tinta Roriz
VINIFICATION
Fermentation process with 50% destemming, followed by fermentation in steel tanks and careful pumping-over.
CHARACTERISTICS
Fruity wines with excellent persistence. Fresh and elegant wines. Mouthfeel, pronounced fruit aroma , with a touch of wood and pine nut.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
12,5 %vol.
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
4,50 €
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Restaurants and specialized shops in Lisbon and Sintra. Shopping centres: Jumbo Sintra/Cascais/Alfragide/ Amoreiras
TERROIR
Clay soils
VARIETIES
Malvasia, Galego Dourado Jampal and Fernão Pires
VINIFICATION
“Bica aberta” process with little skin contact with complete destemming and immediate pressing. Fermentation for 14 days in steel vat.
CHARACTERISTICS
Intense aroma, marked by citric and some tropical notes. Mouthfeel with a touch of mineral and marine aromas.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
12 %vol.
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
4,50 €
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Restaurants and specialized shops in Lisbon and Sintra. Shopping centres: Jumbo Sintra/Cascais/Alfragide/ Amoreiras
TERROIR
Clay-limestone soils
VARIETIES
Aragonez (50%) and Castelão (50%)
VINIFICATION
Alcoholic fermentation in stain-less steel. Total desengace.
CHARACTERISTICS
Garnet-colored wine, aroma and palate of red fruits, with hints of mint and pepper. A fresh red wine, with a balanced acidity due to the influence of the coast.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
13,27%
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
5,00€ - 6,00€
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Incomum by Luis Santos; Sisudo; Romaria de Baco; Ribeirinha de Colares; Bar do Binho; Cantinho Gourmet; Gazeta Café; Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua; Carrascálice; Botica Saloia; A Praça; Garrafeira Nacional e Garrafeira Estado d’Alma;
TERROIR
Clay-limestone soils
VARIETIES
Fernão Pires (50%) and Arinto (50%)
VINIFICATION
Alcoholic fermentation in stain-less steel, open-tab system, without wood.
CHARACTERISTICS
A pale-colored wine, Floral aroma and palate, with a hint of citrus, along with some flint due to the minerality, fresh dry.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
13,5%
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
5,00€ - 6,00€
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Incomum by Luis Santos; Sisudo; Romaria de Baco; Ribeirinha de Colares; Bar do Binho; Cantinho Gourmet; Gazeta Café; Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua; Carrascálice; Botica Saloia; A Praça; Garrafeira Nacional e Garrafeira Estado d’Alma;
TERROIR
Clay-limestone soils
VARIETIES
Castelão
VINIFICATION
Alcoholic fermentation in stain-less steel. Whole bunch in a layer system and ndigenous yeasts. 3-month ageing in chestnut vat. No addition of commercial oenological products, with the exception of a small amount SO2.
CHARACTERISTICS
Bright red-color wine. Green-forest aromas and pepperish hints. In mouth is crispy, assertive tannin, light wild berries and iodine due to the salinity.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
11,8%
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
15,00€
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Incomum by Luis Santos; Sisudo; Romaria de Baco; Ribeirinha de Colares; Bar do Binho; Cantinho Gourmet; Gazeta Café; Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua; Carrascálice; Botica Saloia; A Praça; Garrafeira Nacional e Garrafeira Estado d’Alma;
TERROIR
Clay-limestone soils
VARIETIES
Malvasia de Colares
VINIFICATION
Alcoholic fermentation in stain-less steel, open-tab system, with 35% of clean stalks. Indigenous yeasts. 10-month ageing in chestnut and mahogany vat. No addition of commercial oenological products, with the exception of a small amount SO2.
CHARACTERISTICS
Straw-colored wine. Fresh grapefruit aromas, hints of herbs. An explosion of acidity in mouth, long, crispy and straight forward. Balanced fruit with minerality.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
12,4%
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
15,00€
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Incomum by Luis Santos; Sisudo; Romaria de Baco; Ribeirinha de Colares; Bar do Binho; Cantinho Gourmet; Gazeta Café; Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua; Carrascálice; Botica Saloia; A Praça; Garrafeira Nacional e Garrafeira Estado d’Alma;
TERROIR
Sandy soils
VARIETIES
Ramisco
VINIFICATION
Fermentation in stainless steel, 30% of stalks. 2 years in used French oak Barrels and six years in exotic wood casks.
CHARACTERISTICS
A brick-colored wine, with distinct tannins, which attenuate as years go by. Hints of black fruits, cherry and forest, an Atlantic and balsamic character, dry structure and light acidity.
ALCOHOOL CONTENT
12,7%
RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE
23,00€ - 25,00€
REGULAR SALES OUTLETS
Incomum by Luis Santos; Sisudo; Romaria de Baco; Ribeirinha de Colares; Bar do Binho; Cantinho Gourmet; Gazeta Café; Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua; Carrascálice; Botica Saloia; A Praça; Garrafeira Nacional e Garrafeira Estado d’Alma;
