Wine of the Week by Barb Wild, DipWSET

Monte Cascas Colheita 2019 - Vegan & Bio

Monte Cascas Colheita 2019 is a blend of Aragonez *85% & Rufete. It is a full bodied, fruity and smooth red that would make any red wine lover happy.
Tasting Note:
Appearance is deep ruby in the glass. On the nose ripe red fruits with black fruit undertones (red raspberry, red plum, black berry, black currant) with toasted biscuits, warm sweet spice, mineral salts, and dried chives. On the palate the flavours of stewed plums and sweetened black currant compote even cherry pie with pastry complete with sweet vanilla spice and chocolate flakes. There is so much freshness and vibrancy in this wine that I couldn’t resist taking another sip. The finish lingers juicy and fresh to the end. Smooth soft tannins on this wine supports the good balance of fresh acidity moderate alcohol. Available at Marquis Wine Cellars for $29 before tax.

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CASCA WINES
In 2008 Hélder Cunha started Casca Wines, the first Portuguese wine company to produce wines in 10 different DOCs.  Cunha is an award winning winemaker and IWC Judge who started his career in Napa Valley and completed his studies at Geisenheim Research Center. You may recognize him from the TV series "Wine Routes" which showcased Portugal’s wine making traditions. You can check out the website here: https://www.cascawines.pt/en
LABEL
There are four symbols on the label: Bio – Portugal; Vegan – EU; PDO Quality Guarantee & CVR Beira

• Vegan symbol will confirm that no animal products were used in the making of this wine.
• Bio – Portugal indicates organic farming practices are used in the making of this wine.
• CVR stands for the council for wine in the Beria region and the quality guarantee reflects EU standards for quality wine production.

Tempranillo has a couple of other names in Portugal for example: aragonez and tinto roriz
BEIRA INTERIOR
The region of Beira Interior is located in the north east of Portugal, next to the Spanish border. It is the most mountainous place of mainland Portugal. The soils here are predominantly granite and shale. The area is characterized by micro climates covering three regions: Castelo Rodrigo, Cova de Beira and Pinhel for a total of 16.000 hectares of vineyard. A great number of different grape varieties grow at elevation in this almost continental climate of very hot and dry summers and cold, snowy winters.