Quinta do Romeu - Atelier - Tinto

Quinta do Romeu's Atelier red wine exemplifies a commitment to organic and sustainable viticulture, reflecting the estate's deep-rooted philosophy of harmony with nature. Located in the Douro Valley of Portugal, Quinta do Romeu has been under the stewardship of the Menéres family since its founding in 1874 by Clemente Guimarães Menéres. The current winemaker, João Menéres, continues this legacy, focusing on indigenous grape varieties and traditional winemaking techniques.

This wine originates from a smaller vinification process aimed at exploring and understanding the unique characteristics of a co-planted parcel of Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet. The grapes were handpicked and completely destemmed before undergoing spontaneous fermentation in open granite tanks, known as lagares, without any temperature control. Following a vertical pressing, the wine was aged over the winter in 500-liter used barrels.

In its first spring, the wine revealed a captivating forest-like profile, characterized by a warm essence of resin and sap from surrounding bushes, complemented by notes of wildflowers and berries. This prompted the decision to bottle the wine using a gravity method after racking, with minimal intervention aside from a slight adjustment of sulfur. The bottling process was intentionally executed close to the completion of malolactic fermentation, allowing the wine to retain some carbon dioxide. This approach was designed to preserve its primary aromas within a slightly reductive environment in the bottle.