Free tasting | Saturday, March 30, 2019 | 4-6PM

Kate from Charles River is joining us this Saturday to pour wines from the Iberian Peninsula including vino from Spain and Portugal. Join us for a lovely evening and learn about the winemaking methods and philosophies of producers Luis Pato, Mont Rubí, Finca la Mata and the legendary port house of Kopke. See you there!

2016 Luis Pato ‘Laranja da Madalena’ 

Who: Luis Pato

What: 100% Baga, Baby! (a red grape)

Where: Bairrada, Portugal

How: Simply put, this is a REVERSE orange wine. It’s free run juice of Baga grapes (red), macerated with the skins of Sercialinho grapes (white). It’s SUPER limited, people! Come drink and buy it before it’s all gone!

Farming Method:  Organic

Fun Fact: Have you noticed a labeling theme on Luis’s wines? His soft spot for ducks comes naturally; his surname, Pato, is Portuguese for ‘duck’.

What It Tastes Like: Nervy tannins and notes of spicy marmalade.

NV Luis Pato Baga Bruto Sparkling

Who: Luis Pato aka “Mr. Baga” because he made famous what his father fought with the government to keep - the Baga grape! The dictatorship in Portugal in his father’s time wanted to rip out all of the indigenous varieties in Portugal to plant commercially successful and more profitable grapes. However, the Pato family refused, rebelled, and WON because their wine is simply divine.

What: 100% Baga grapes

Where: Bairrada, Portugal

How: Fermented in stainless steel and then spends 9 months on its lees.

Farming Method: Organic - Low yielding vines are green harvested to concentrate floor into remaining bunches.

Fun Fact: One of Luis’s three daughters, Filipa Pato, has her own winery and makes distinctly different wines that also reflect the unique landscape of Bairrada, Portugal. Check out Filipa’s wines as well in our Portuguese section!

What It Tastes Like: Tiny delicate bubbles that burst and notes of red apples.

2015 Mont Rubí Finca Durona 

Who: The Peris family

What: Sumoll, Samsó, and Garnatxa

Where: Catalonia, Spain

How: Aged for 9 months in French Oak barrels. 

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: Catalonia is also the birthplace of Spain’s signature sparkling wine, Cava, which was created in 1872.

What It Tastes Like: Gorgeous acidity, tart raspberry fruit, and warm notes of baking spices.

2016 Finca la Mata Ribero Del Duero

Who: Isaac Fernandez and Aurelio Cabestrero

What: Tinta del Pais

Where: Ribero Del Duero, Spain

How: Aged in a combination of French and American oak for 8 months

Farming Method: Sustainable

Fun Fact: Tinta del Pais is another name for the grape, Tempranillo.

What It Tastes Like: Blackberry, plum, and cedar.

NV C.N Kopke Fine Ruby Port

Who: Winemaker Carlos Alvez

What: Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, and Touriga Franca

Where: Douro, Portugal

How: It was aged in stainless steel and wood for a minimum of 3 years.

Farming Method: Sustainable

Fun Fact: Kopke is recognized as the first Port house as it dates all the way back to 1638 when German immigrants Cristiano and Nicolaus Kopke founded it!

What It Tastes Like: Vibrant plum and cherry notes.

NV C.N Kopke Fine Tawny Port

Who: Winemaker Carlos Alves

What: Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, and Touriga Franca

Where: Douro, Portugal 

How: It was aged in stainless steel and wood for a minimum of 3 years.

Farming Method: Sustainable

Fun Fact: Nowadays most grapes for Port aren’t crushed by foot (it’s faster for them to be crushed with machinery) but this practice dates back worldwide thousands of years. Feet are actually the perfect tool for crushing grapes since the pressure is gentle enough that the seeds won’t break. It is a precarious for foot treaders though as they commonly get stung by bees! 

What It Tastes Like: Dry with notes of walnut, fig spread, and caramel.