WINE & LIFESTYLE REPORT
Another Big Day at Nápoles
29 - 30 April 2011
Well...Niepoort did it again! With Dirk's maestry and the whole team deliverance another big event for wine lovers was carried out at Quinta de Nápoles.The power to gather people is a very unique one, but to offer them single lifetime opportunities to share their passion for wine, by tasting some of the best bottles in the planet in a relaxed ambiance full of friends and wine geeks like us is just unbeatable!
The event started out with a private tasting on the 29th, were a line-up of Niepoort Colheitas Ports were the big stars of a stellar wine flight which included wines from R&L Legras (Champagne), Soalheiro (Vinhos Verdes), Schloss Gobelsburg (Austria), Domaine Guy Roulot, Jean Marc Pillot, Domaine Armand Rousseau (Burgundy), Telmo Rodriguez (Spain) and Fritz Haag (Mosel). First and foremost, can't help to rejoice in seeing wines from Soalheiro among such incredible, internationally renowned producers, its surely well deserved.
The pace was a bit fast, but it was possible to get a good insight of most wines, here's the complete line-up:
The event started out with a private tasting on the 29th, were a line-up of Niepoort Colheitas Ports were the big stars of a stellar wine flight which included wines from R&L Legras (Champagne), Soalheiro (Vinhos Verdes), Schloss Gobelsburg (Austria), Domaine Guy Roulot, Jean Marc Pillot, Domaine Armand Rousseau (Burgundy), Telmo Rodriguez (Spain) and Fritz Haag (Mosel). First and foremost, can't help to rejoice in seeing wines from Soalheiro among such incredible, internationally renowned producers, its surely well deserved.
The pace was a bit fast, but it was possible to get a good insight of most wines, here's the complete line-up:
|
1. Niepoort
2. Champagne R & L Legras
3. Soalheiro
4. Schloss Gobelsburg
|
5. Domaine Guy Roulot
6. Jean Marc Pillot
7. Telmo Rodriguez
8. Domaine Armand Rousseau
9. Fritz Haag
|
Tasting these ports is almost a religious experience, after all we are talking about wines that endured more than most human beings alive! All of them were in perfect good health showing a consistent maturation in bottle and giving signs they will keep well for further decades. To my personal taste I would like to highlight the 1900 with great depth and high flavour intensity which lingers endlessly on the palate showing spicy notes and sweetened coffee beans, and of course 1863... how lovely it would be to age as gracely as "him" (it deserves an identity!), mainly considering it's strength, it is giving a full body, rich and round that coats your hole mouth and still has some mouthwatering acidity.
After the tasting dinner was served by Vítor Claro, with his usual simplicity and creativity assuring the out most respect for the produce. The piece of fish in the photo above was one of the most succulent I have ever had.
After a good night' s rest at the nearby Hotel Folgosa, a very adequate spot to explore the region, we are ready and eager for more. Saturday was a Big Bang!
Almost 400 people sharing the love for wine, gathered at Quinta de Nápoles for an opportunity to taste dozens of wines and discuss them with their creators. All the producers mentioned above, accompanied by the Douro Boys gang (Quinta do Valado, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Vale Meão, Quinta do Vale Dona Maria), Baga Friends (Luís Pato, Filipa Pato, Quinta das Bágeiras, Sidónio de Sousa, Kompassus, Quinta da Vacariça and Vinhos Bussaco), offered their wines for tasting and explained them to the curious minds.
The whole day focused on wine, wine-making and tasting, all of this crowned by an excellent catering provided by Rui Paula team, which seldom disappoints, indeed their likely to amaze. Food was served to 400 people in perfect cooking conditions and temperature, excellent taste and nice presentation (if you want fantastic go to his restaurants DOC and DOP, always meals to remember).
Last but not least, God bless Johnny...
After a good night' s rest at the nearby Hotel Folgosa, a very adequate spot to explore the region, we are ready and eager for more. Saturday was a Big Bang!
Almost 400 people sharing the love for wine, gathered at Quinta de Nápoles for an opportunity to taste dozens of wines and discuss them with their creators. All the producers mentioned above, accompanied by the Douro Boys gang (Quinta do Valado, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Vale Meão, Quinta do Vale Dona Maria), Baga Friends (Luís Pato, Filipa Pato, Quinta das Bágeiras, Sidónio de Sousa, Kompassus, Quinta da Vacariça and Vinhos Bussaco), offered their wines for tasting and explained them to the curious minds.
The whole day focused on wine, wine-making and tasting, all of this crowned by an excellent catering provided by Rui Paula team, which seldom disappoints, indeed their likely to amaze. Food was served to 400 people in perfect cooking conditions and temperature, excellent taste and nice presentation (if you want fantastic go to his restaurants DOC and DOP, always meals to remember).
Last but not least, God bless Johnny...
