Category: Blog

Bloomberg the famous American news agency highlighted seven wines from the Alentejo region by taste compared with price. According to the news agency, more precisely Elin Mccoy tasted excellent wines and consider that some of the bottles of wine under 25 USD taste double of the price category.

Elin Mccoy (Bloomberg) wrote an article entitled “Bottles of wine under 25 USD that taste as if they cost twice that”, where he mentioned seven wines from different wine producers from Alentejo.

Bloomberg, Elin Mccoy Alentejo mentions

Besides this publication, is common to write also for The New York Times, House & Gardner, or Decanter Magazine. The mentioned wines were : 

Elin Mccoy made also an excellent reference to the quality of wines and the efforts of the wine producers on the sustainable practices to produce these amazing products. Besides the 7 wines from Alentejo, the author also mentioned more 8 wines of Portugal from different regions. 

Alentejo wines may have different characteristics, depending on the sub-region. For instance, wines from the Portalegre area usually are fresh and complex, while in Évora, Redondo, Reguengos, and Borba can be more smooth and harmonious. 

Each of the winemakers has their own goals, according to investments already done, or brand target or even sustainable practices more uniform. You will also find amazing blends or even single grape variety wines (Monocasta in Portuguese).

Alentejo wine region is beautiful and you should consider visiting on your next trip to Portugal. From Talha Wines, cork to amazing local cheeses that you will be able to taste in a wine pairing. Experiences with flavors that you will love. In conclusion, relieve your senses while traveling to Portugal, because you will love every single minute. If would like to read the full article, click here.

Vindouro Awards was for the first time in virtual mode, the 16th Edition awarded “Douro” and “Porto” origins in the “Best Denomination of Origin for Red Wines aged up to 6 months” category.

In a ceremony that took place in an innovative way, in a completely virtual environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Two wines from the Douro Demarcated Region won: the “Gran Arribe de Oro no Femenino” went to the wine of the Douro 100 Hectares Vinhas Velhas Red 2017, while the wine Vale da Vila Tinto 2018 obtained the distinction as “Best Red Wine with Aging up to 6 years”.

Douro and Porto wines have been the DO with the highest participation and the highest number of awarded wines. This event referring to the year 2020, obtained 51 gold medals.

The VINDUERO / VINDOURO AWARD is the largest international wine competition in Iberia Peninsula. It is also one of the most important internationally. A prestigious event that has a first-level tasting panel and that values ​​the best wines from both countries. In a cross-border environment, in the magnificent landscape of the Arribas do Douro, International Natural Park, the prize aims to distinguish the great quality of the wines.

2020 Portuguese wine exports

Portuguese wine exports had a very positive 2020 year, registering a notable increase when compared to 2019. Besides the situation with pandemic worldwide, it was an amazing growth for the wine producers. 

According to data from the Instituto Nacional Estatística (INE), for 2020, there was an increase of volume 5,3%. The value of the exports also increase 3,2%. The result of 846 million euros, 26 million euros more than in the previous year. Check more information about Porto & Douro Wine Region and the private multi-day Douro Wine Tour.

Innovative approaches to reach conservation of biodiversity and natural resources, opportunities for growth with more value for the vineyard, and protection of the environment are mandatory to the best practices of vineyards. Water quality, soil, biodiversity conservation, and air are variables to consider during this process.

Agriculture has a key role in promoting and maintaining biodiversity, besides the benefits from such existence biodiversity. Farms due to their production have or should be an important mission in this field, to guarantee also their future in terms of quality and quantity of their products. Vineyards and farms should require conservation initiatives and promotion of biodiversity depending on the characteristics of their region, due to different aspects of nature, from soil to weather, just to give some examples. From the consumer’s perspective, the “normal” farm vs intensive farm is different, and they are, however, both can benefit from improvements on agricultural practices to help minimize negative impacts.

Natura 2000 European Union program developed in partnership between 28 countries for land and sea, involving different institutions. Government and private institutions have the goal of long-term survival of Europe´s most valuable and threatened species and habitats. This program has two lists: birds directive and habitats directive. The conservation and sustainable approach put the main focus on people working with nature instead of against it. 

Innovative approaches

Related to vineyards (because there are other issues on the program) the goal is the protection of certain areas, such as :

• Maintenance of riparian zones, hedges, and groves;
• Promotion of crop over between the vineyard lines;
• Especially in Southern Portugal, the cultural landscape and multifunctional agricultural system;
• Maintenance of natural vegetation in borderlines and uncultivated areas;
• Protection of water sources, since hot temperatures create evaporation and dry soil surface. The Alqueva water barrier had a tremendous impact on agriculture in Alentejo, however there still areas where should be preserved.
• Erosion mitigation actions

Notice that each wine region should have small different approaches due to variables of wine production. Grape varieties can be common to all regions such as Touriga Nacional but soils and climate are different. Another point of view is other grape varieties specific from a single wine region. Jampal in the Lisboa wine region or even Encruzado in Dão wine region is specific. Innovative approaches are required to new paths of preservation and innovation on winemaking.

Caldo Verde (Kale Soup) is considered one of the best soups Worldwide, according to CNN Travel . The article presents 20 soups from different countries such as Nigeria, Portugal, France, United States, Indonesia, among many other countries. Strongly related to Portuguese gastronomy, Caldo Verde is a soup based on potatoes, kale and chorizo. This soup starts in the north of Portugal, however it has nowadays a big impact on the country. 

Along the years Portugal became popular with different motifs and gastronomy is one of them. Besides the amazing fresh quality Portuguese products that have an impact in the flavors of the food, you will find excellent service restaurants. There is diversity for every taste or health restrictions. Portuguese traditional gastronomy by default is not vegetarian friendly, however you will find delicious dishes or even small modifications to the original dish that you will love to taste. 

Caldo Verde (or if you prefer: Kale Soup) is also popular in countries such as Brazil. By default, it usually has a green color since the cabbage is cut into very thin strips. Portuguese gastronomy is comfort food, easy to cook and doesn’t have complex techniques to cook. However, nowadays it is common to find new trends crossed with traditional cuisine or even others products, such as wines or other ingredients.

Tradition is strongly related with farmers and fishermen, especially along the beautiful Portuguese coastline.

Key Ingredients for Caldo Verde:

Another important piece of Kale Soup flavour is the Portuguese Chorizo. Based on Pork, it will find it smoked from 3 to 18 months. Pork is the most consumed meat in Portugal even though gastronomy has many other options such as rabbit, cow, lamp, duck and others.

Potatoes, Portuguese Cabbage and Chorizo are the key ingredients for this delicious soup. Better than reading, is to taste and for this reason, if you will not be able to join Monocasta food & wine tours, at least, you will be able to make it at home . We have prepared the recipe of Caldo Verde / Kale Soup, that you can follow step by step . 
Would you love to read the full article on CNN Travel ? Follow this link .

Portuguese Kale Soup is famous worldwide by travelers that visit the country and taste it during their vacations. It is a mirror of the culture and people love it especially in Autumn and Winter, since it is served hot. 

When possible at home it is served with a slice of cornbread, while in good restaurants it is more common to serve without, even there are exceptions. The origins are from the North of Portugal, however it is already a National dish. In fact, in 2011 it was considered one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal gastronomy ( a national competition, highly broadcasted on television with votes from the public). The competition had dishes based on meat, fish, soups, desserts from the entire country.

Ingredients for a delicious soup

To prepare this delicious soup, join the following ingredients. The mentioned portions are for 6 people. 

100 g onions
2 garlic cloves
400 g potatoes to cook
1 L water
1 tbsp salt
300 g Portuguese cabbage
3 tbsp of Olive Oil
6 slices of corn bread (optional)
1 Chorizo

Portuguese Kale Soup Preparation

In the first place, add the water in a pot to cook the onions, garlic cloves and peeled potatoes . (you can cut the potatoes in small cubes or slices, that will boiled faster). Season with salt, cover and cook over a moderate heat during 20 minutes (or until the potatoes are cooked). Duration may change depending if you use induction or gas. 

Wash the Portuguese cabbage and cut it into thick julienne. Scald it in boiling water in a separated pot for one minute and drain the water. Grind the soup with the magic wand until the potatoes reduces to puree. Bring to a boil and add the cabbage. Stir and boil with the pan uncovered for five or six minutes. Serve the soup with the thin slices of cornbread with chorizo and enjoy.

Have a nice meal.