Alves De Sousa
Alves de Sousa: A Paragon of Authenticity in Port Wine
Established in the heart of the Douro Valley, Alves de Sousa personifies a unique blend of tradition and innovation in the world of Port wine. This acclaimed brand is celebrated for its range of high-quality Ports that represent the rich heritage and exceptional terroir of their vineyards, like the renowned Quinta da Gaivosa.
A Legacy of Excellence: Alves de Sousa
The Alves de Sousa family's journey in winemaking spans five generations, with each bringing a new level of dedication and expertise to their craft. Today, Alves de Sousa, with estates including Quinta da Gaivosa and Quinta das Estâncias, embodies a blend of traditional and innovative practices that result in Ports acclaimed for their authenticity and expressiveness.
Characteristics of Alves de Sousa Ports
Alves de Sousa offers an array of distinguished Ports, including those under the Quinta da Gaivosa label, each embodying the unique terroir of the Douro Valley. The Vintage Ports, such as the Quinta da Gaivosa Vintage, are recognized for their depth of flavour, featuring rich dark fruit notes, subtle spice undertones, and a strong, structured body. Over time, these wines develop a remarkable complexity, revealing layers of earthy and savoury nuances.
Their Late Bottled Vintage Ports, distinguished by the richness of fruit and elegance, offer a more accessible experience of the house's style. Moreover, their Tawny Ports, like the Quinta da Gaivosa 10-year-old Tawny, showcase nutty and caramel flavours, alongside the vibrant acidity and dried fruit characteristics typical of this style.
Technical Details
The vineyards of Alves de Sousa, particularly Quinta da Gaivosa, cultivate a variety of indigenous grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Barroca. Each variety contributes to the unique and distinctive profile of their Ports.
The Ports are bottled in classic Port wine bottles of 750ml, while larger formats are used for special editions or for particular vintages. Other technical aspects, such as the Baume levels, alcohol percentage, and exact grape compositions, are detailed on the wine's label or the winery's technical notes, and they can vary depending on the vintage and wine style.
Gastronomic Suggestions
Alves de Sousa's Ports offer an extensive range of pairing possibilities. Quinta da Gaivosa Vintage, with its robust structure and dark fruit profile, pairs beautifully with rich desserts like a dark chocolate ganache tart. Alternatively, it can be enjoyed with strong cheeses, such as a mature Stilton. The Quinta da Gaivosa 10-year-old Tawny, with its nutty nuances, pairs exceptionally well with dishes like duck à l'orange or a traditional Portuguese almond tart.
Vineyard Practices
At the helm of Alves de Sousa's winemaking team is Tiago Alves de Sousa, whose passion and commitment to tradition are evident in each bottle. The winemaking process involves a blend of modern and traditional techniques, including manual harvesting due to the challenging Douro Valley terrain, and foot treading in lagares, particularly for their premium Ports.
Sustainability is also a focal point for Alves de Sousa. The winery employs traditional viticulture methods, minimizing chemical intervention and working harmoniously with the unique ecosystem of the Douro Valley. By coupling respect for the environment with innovative practices, Alves de Sousa ensures the production of distinct and high-quality Port wine.
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Tiago Alves de Sousa
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2003 / 2005 / 2008 / 2009 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020
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No Colheita’s have been bottled yet
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Quinta da Gaivosa
Quinta da Oliveirinha
Quinta das Caldas
Quinta da Aveleira
Quinta da Estação
Quinta do Vale da Raposa
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Alves de Sousa
