Douro, Portugal
Oenologist: Pedro Silva Reis, Jorge Moreira, Pedro Silva Reis Junior
Environmental Practice: Sustainable Agriculture, Most Vegan Friendly (see description)
“Oh my God, this company is older than my country” - the Ambassador for USA, on a visit to Real Companhia Velha in the 1970’s.
Real Companhia Velha is the oldest wine company in Portugal, having recently celebrated 265 years of constant trading since 1756.
In the mid-18th century, there was a crisis with the port market due to a reduction of exports, extreme low prices & the situation being worsened by the fact the trade was dominated & controlled by British merchants.
With the support of a number of personalities including the King D. José I, the Portuguese Prime Minister Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, aka the Marquis of Pombal, a decision was made to create a chartered company. Its aim was to break the monopoly of the English Trading Post, to balance supply & demand, to ensure the quality & authenticity of the product & to protect it from disloyal competition by wines from other parts of the kingdom. All of this with royal approval & it soon became one of the Portuguese state’s greatest sources of income. This was the origin of Real Companhia Velha.
Since 1960, Real Companhia Velha has been run by the Silva Reis family, who have dedicated their efforts to the production of both port & Douro wines, focusing on the study & development of the Douro terroir & sustainability.
The 3rd generation of the family has Pedro Silva Reis Junior as the resident winemaker, Pedro Silva Reis, his father, as the Master Blender (for over 40 years) & Tiago Silva Reis developing the market to show a company that combines innovation with tradition in the 5 Quinta’s they own, which are considered some of the best in the Douro Valley.
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Royal Oporto Medium Dry White port, NV.
RCV-MWP - Malvasia Fina, Donzelinho Branco, Viosinho, Gouveio - 19%
The Royal Oporto Medium Dry White is an alternative style of Port: the brandy is only added at the end of the fermentation process, when there still some sugars left to preserve the mature figs notes.
Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature in contact with the skins until the addition of the brandy. The wine then ages in oak vats for a period of 18 months.
Tasting Notes: A White Port that is fresh yet with some complex notes of hazelnut & honey making it versatile to drink. With a straw-like yellow colour & ripe fruity & nutty aromas, this Port can be enjoyed as an aperitif or after a meal. Serving
Temperature & Matching : Store bottles in a cool place away from direct light (16ºC). Serve at 10-12ºC. Once opened it preserves it’s flavours & characteristics for at least 3 months. Keep it in the fridge to keep its freshness. Enjoy this fresh & aromatic Port as an aperitif or after a meal. Fabulous with a cheese board & honey roasted nuts.
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Royal Oporto LBV 2020 Port
RCV-LBV17 - Old Vines Field Blend & Touriga Nacional - 20%
LBV’s (on the contrary to Vintage Ports) are bottled between the fourth & sixth year of ageing. This longer ageing period ensures a smoother & rounder palate, making this wine enjoyable for immediate consume. The Royal Oporto LBV is an example of the classic Real Companhia Velha style. The Old Vines of Quinta das Carvalhas contribute with power & structure, while Quinta de Cidrô’s Touriga Nacional unveils the elegant side of this blend.
Tasting Notes: A deep & dark coloured LBV with notes of red fruit & raisins complexed with berries & spice. A very unique layer of smoky leathery made me particularly like this port . Very fine on the palate, with firm & round tannins showing a very solid structure, & finishing off elegantly with great fruit character.
Serving Temperature & Matching: Store bottles in a cool, dry place, away from direct light (16ºC). Serve at 16ºC. This Late Bottled Vintage Port can be enjoyed while young, yet it has potential to age in bottle. An ideal partner for Blue Cheese or milk/dark chocolate desserts & fatty cheeses (Blue) as well as with some game pates. Should be decanted before serving.
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Royal Oporto Lagrima Sweet White Port
RCV-SWP - Malvasia Fina, Donzelinho, Viosinho, and Gouveio - 19%
Winemaking Process: Experience the essence of Portugal's winemaking heritage with Porto Lágrima, a masterpiece from the renowned DOC Douro region. Crafted with a blend of Malvasia Fina, Donzelinho, Viosinho, and Gouveio grapes, this port wine encapsulates the spirit of the world's oldest Demarcated Wine Region. The traditional art of port production is carefully followed, with fermentation initiated in stainless steel vats, followed by a pause through the addition of brandy to preserve natural sugars. This meticulous process results in a luxurious, licorice-textured white Port, aged for three years in oak vats, culminating in a limited production of 6,000 exclusive 750ml bottles.
Tasting Notes: Porto Lágrima presents a radiant golden color, reflecting its rich concentration and texture. The aroma captivates with an intense, harmonious blend of raisin notes and oak nuances, a testament to its meticulous aging. On the palate, this lusciously sweet Port delivers an array of fruit flavors that dance gracefully, culminating in a long-lasting finish that leaves a memorable impression. Each sip of Porto Lágrima embodies the dedication to craftsmanship and the authentic flavors of Portugal's viticultural heritage.
Food Pairing: Savor the extraordinary flavors of Porto Lágrima by serving it slightly chilled at 10°C. This exquisite white Port finds its perfect companions in the world of gastronomy. Elevate your dining experience by pairing it with Foie Gras, a true delicacy, or indulge in the timeless pleasure of crème brûlée. The Port's sweet and luscious character beautifully complements the richness of these dishes, creating an unforgettable harmony of tastes. Discover the art of pairing with Porto Lágrima, where each sip is a celebration of Portugal's winemaking tradition.
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Dandy White 2023
RCV6-W - Douro DOC - Samarrinho & Cerceal - 11%
The Dandy white is made primarily from one of our most exciting grapes, the Samarrinho – a very old grape varietal that has been subject to a recovery project after being close to extinction. We look to pick the Samarrinho quite early for its freshness and sharpness as well for its delicate and unique aromatic profile. On the other hand, the Cerceal offers texture and volume.
Winemaking Process: Grapes are handpicked and transported to the winery in 150kg crates. After going through a manual sorting process, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed on a pneumatic press. After a 24h decanting process, the must is fermented in stainless steel vats, at a 14-16ºC. The wine ages in the stainless steel vats for 6 months until bottling.
Tasting Notes: Yellow straw-like in colour, this wine offers a very fresh aromatic profile with notes of white fruit and grated stone, combined with delicate citric aromas. On the palate, it matches its nose profile, showing lightness and a vibrant, textured style with good acidity and a lingering finish. Fun and easy!
Food Pairings: Great by itself and when food pairing think of seafood, shellfish, grilled fish, sauté vegetables and curries.
Serving Temperature: 8-10ºC