Azores Wine Company Tinto Vulcanico

The windswept archipelago of the Azores in the mid-Atlantic is one of the world’s most unique wine regions, recognised by Unesco in 2004. Vine s have been planted here since the 15th century. The Azores Wine Company is a project between winemakers Filipe Rocha, António Maçanita and Paulo Machado who have worked together to revitalise old vineyards and use combination of traditional and modern winemaking techniques to present these treasures to the world.

The volcanic soils allied to proximity to the sea lends the wines a distinctly brisk, saline character. Hundreds of micro-vineyards are enclosed in small walls just a few metres square to protect them from the wind and sea-spray. These walls are made from basalt stones, which had to be removed from the ground before any planting could take place.

Manual harvest in 40Kg baskets, bunch selection on a sorting table, no pumps just gravity flow. Natural racking after 24 hours, and fermentation in small 600 to 1000l stainless steel tanks.

Grape: Aragonês, Agronómica, Castelão, Malvarisco, Merlot, Touriga Nacional, Saborinho, Syrah, plus “others”

Tasting Notes: Perfumed aromas of rosehip, pomegranate and red cherry with fine, mineral acidity and a persistent, saline finish. A unique and delicious red.

Food Match: Charcuterie or Pork vindaloo.

An alternative to: Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo.

Closure: Natural Cork

Farming Practices: Organic – Vegan – Contains Sulfites