Text João Pedro de Carvalho | Translation Bruno Ferreira

In 2007, the Duorum project is born by the hands of two oenologists that have been marking Portugal’s wine history in the last few decades – João Portugal Ramos and José Maria Soares Franco. This Duorum is, since its release to the market, one of the wines I insist of having at home – the main reason being the fantastic relation price/satisfaction shown harvest after harvest.

I say this because for a €10 wine it’s a non-deceiver, both for its quality and the way it shows a Dourog full of life, with plenty of fresh and fleshy meat, well-designed and involving. What’s more, it’s easy to find it at a supermarket shelf, always beside its younger brother, Tons de Duorum, which is also a good choice though qualitatively below Duorum’s.

But focusing our attention on Duorum 2012, the grape varieties that make this wine are, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional & Tinta Roriz. From Douro’s schistous soils these grapes are destemmed at the winery’s entrance and then crushed in lagares of robotized treading. The aging is done in French oak barrels of 225 and 300 liters – 2^nd and 3^rd year – for about 12 months.

Marked by ripe and muscled fruits (gooseberry, blueberry, raspberry), beautiful arising floral aromas – reminding violets – just like the well-integrated cask in the set. Wholly elegant and full of life, with youth’s vigour, good mouth volume, fruity mid-palate and a slight dryness in the end. Has life-span ahead. To drink while young with seasoned dishes – a lamb’s leg e.g. – or later during the next years.

Contacts
Duorum
Quinta de Castelo Melhor
EN 222, Km 216.8
5150-146 Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Portugal
Email: duorum@duorum.pt
Site: www.duorum.pt