Text João Pedro de Carvalho | Translation Jani Dunne

When you talk about oenologist Hélder Cunha, his name is immediately followed by the project Monte Cascas (See Sarah Ahmed’s article here for more), in which a field-less and cellar-less oenologist is able to create authentic terroir wines from Douro to Alentejo. This is how founders of Santos & Seixo’s challenged this oenologist to rely on that Philosophy: one brand, different regions (“Verde”, Douro and Alentejo), and the wines will be split into “Colheita”, “Reserva” and “Grande Reserva”.

This range is expected to be modern and appealing on the outside, but original and refined on the inside, the virtue-rich wines tempting you to taste and drink. In this case, Colheita 2012, from the Douro – and the first I tasted – stands out for its fruit’s beautiful ability to express itself, revealing, however, the lands where it grew.

When relating wine to the popular festivities dedicated to Patron Saints – now beginning to buzz in Portugal from North to South – the aforementioned wine is one I recommend to bring to the table. I say this because, as previously mentioned, it’s a good wine to drink. Besides, in honour of St. Anthony, the matchmaker, this wine will perfectly marry a wide range of delicacies very popular this time of year. Don’t shy away from cooling it before drinking it with a Roast Sardine with broa (cornbread) during the São João fete, in Porto.

The word “Macio” (soft) stands out on the attractive label, which is more obvious when you drink it, and also a healthy and, should I say, clever way to connect with the consumer. The word Macio answers any doubts about a barely known wine. Its price is soft enough – costing around €5 (about £3.5) – and it’s easily found in supermarkets.

Santos da Casa Douro 2012 comprises Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, from three plots of land, and the resulting batch spent 9 months in wood. What’s obvious at first is the ripe fruit’s expression wrapped in freshness, a light toasty feeling in the background and a pinch of cocoa, pepper and vegetable in a touch of austerity true to that region. In the mouth, it’s soft, filled with freshness and fruit, crackling with flavour and cohesive, its profile a guaranteed pleasure.

Contacts
Santos & Seixo – Wine Exports, Lda.
Av. Dom João II, Lote 1.02.2.1-D, Piso 1 – Escritório 6 – 7
1990 – 091 Parque das Nações
Tel: (+351) 21 82 223 08
Fax: (+351) 21 80 578 91
E-Mail: geral@santoseseixo.pt
Website: www.santoseseixo.pt