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Casa Ferreirinha

The Douro Region is one of the most important and oldest demarcated regions in the world. Wine-growing in the Region has been practiced seen time immemorial and its increase during Roman occupation is well known. In the 12th century, with the independence of Portugal, the development of wine-growing got under way in the Douro Valley, and the first exports, to France, go back to the 13th century, expanding in the 14th century. Only in the 17th century is the first reference made to the denomination “Port Wine”, as applied to Douro wine.

In 1660, political differences between France and England already prevailed. In this context, the French minister Colbert imposed high duties on the export of Bordeaux wines to England. In retaliation, the English king, Charles II, decided to boycott the import of Bordeaux wines.

This episode would decisively mark the international vocation of Port Wine. It was indeed after this decision by Charles II that Plymouth, Bristol and London merchants discovered the virtues of Douro Valley wines, thanks to the reports reaching them from the flourishing English trading community in Oporto. In 1703 an Anglo-Portuguese agreement is signed.

In 1756, setting-up the demarcation of the Douro region, King Joseph’s minister, Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, later the Marquis of Pombal, created the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro (the General Company for Upper Douro Wine-Growing).

Casa Ferreirinha wines are decidedly "old world" in style, showing the terroir of the Douro, ripe fruit with good structure and long aging potential. These are from the same vineyards and grape varieties that Port comes from so naturally these are big, flavorful wines. No table wines were commercially made in the Douro for over 200 years until Ferreira made their first Barca Velha in 1953. Ever since then, this has been considered the greatest wine from Portugal and the Douro has become know as the finest red wine producing region in the country. Because of what Ferreira started, other producers have followed and table wine is now almost 50% of the wine produced in the Douro.

The Wines:

Barca Velha is traditionally a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca from three of Ferreira's vineyards in the Douro Superior. Ferreira's winemaker was sent to Bordeaux in the early 1950s to decide on a table wine style and he chose the long aging style of Chateau Lafite Rothschlid so this is made on that model. This wine is only made in vintages with potential of greatness. It is aged for 7 years in barrel and bottle and then tasted to decide if the vintage is great enough to "declare" a Barca Velha. Ferreira's Board of Directors has to be unanimous in their decision before a vintage can be declared. Declarations average 2 to 3 per decade and this has traditionally been considered the greatest wine form Portugal.

Reserva is the designation given to exceptional wines made in great years that haven't gained the unanimous vote to be labeled Barca Velha.

Quinta da Leda is a single vineyard wine from the Douro Superior and is one of the vineyards that Barca Velha and Reserva come from. Produced from Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca grapes and aged in new French oak barrels, this is a rich full-flavored individualistic wine.

Vinha Grande (Grand Wine) is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Tinta Roriz grapes from vineyards in the Douro Superior and Upper Douro, aged in new and used French oak barrels. This is medium-bodied and quite complex.

Esteva is a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca grapes from vineyards in the Upper Douro, aged in used French oak barrels. This name comes from a white flower that grows wild in the Douro and is made for consuming within two to six years from the vintage date.