Pedro Araujo launched the Louriero 2009 from his iconic Quinta do Ameal estate last week. Located just outside Ponte de Lima, Ameal has built up an extraordinary reputation for Vinho Verde, based on bio-dynamics and very low yields.

“2009 might turn out to be the best yet” commented Araujo. Contact Raymond Reynolds Ltd for further information danny@raymondreynolds.co.uk

Niepoort – Ubunto

Normally sold in this country as Drink Me (from the Douro), in deference to Alice’s potion bottle in Wonderland, “Ubuntu” was sold to a select group of premium retailers, including Selfridges, with reports of delighted consumer reactions to both label and contents!

Contact Raymond Reynolds Ltd for further information danny@raymondreynolds.co.uk

Imbibros is delighted to announce the arrival of new wines and new vintages from the Alentejo producer, Herdade Grande.

The range has 2 excellent white wines from the indigenous Antao Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro varieties: Condado das Vinhas is beautifully crisp and fresh, while the Herdade Grande Branco has a touch of oak maturation adding a rounder, slightly nutty character.

The reds also focus on local varieties with Monte das Talhas being an Aragonez and Trincadeira blend, while the Estate red blends Aragonez with Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet. Finally the super-premium Herdade Grande Reserva is a blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional which shows great complexity and ageing potential.

All of the Herdade Grande wines offer terrific quality at their respective price level. E-mail wine@imbibros.co.uk for further information.

DFJ Vinhos has just launched a new Arinto varietal wine from the Lisboa region. “Paxis” is a deliciously refreshing example of the unique mineral and citrusy wine style the grape produces.

Portugalia Wines has just expanded its’ excellent range from DFJ Vinhos. Additions include the dual varietal Pinot Noir & Alfrocheiro under the DFJ brand and the Segada White which is a blend of Fernao Pires, Chardonnay and Arinto.

Contact João Pedro for further information: 020 8965 8970

Vida Nova have launched four new wines in the last month.

Vida Nova Espumante Bruto Rosé
Vida Nova Branco 2009
Vida Nova Rosé 2009
Vida Nova Tinto 2008

Further information will be posted onto their website as downloadable pdfs over the next couple of weeks, www.winesvidanova.com.

Liberty wines have launched their Quinta da Romaneira vintage port 2008

Portovino are now working with Sivipa in Palmela who produce 5 different Moscatels, and also produce a gift box with 12 chocolate cups to drink the wine from (and then you eat the cup!) they come in a gift box with a special tasting glass and soon they will have chocolates filled with Moscatel.

Portovino have been selling Moscatel De Setubal for about 6 months and particularly like converting those who claim not to like sweet wines. They decided that there was a demand for these unique wines and asked Viniportugal to put them in touch with growers in Portugal, now representing Sivipa in Palmela.

Portovino are pleased to be their sole UK agent, and have on their list the delicious Sivipa Moscatel, the Moscatel Roxo, the Moscatel 96 (voted the best Moscatel in Setubal last year) and, of course, the gift box with the chocolate cups.

Please contact paul@portovino.co.uk if you want further information on these stunning wines.

From 19 July to 5 September, the D&D Restaurant group in London will be launching a new promotion with Wines of Portugal in association with The Evening Standard.

They will offer one complimentary glass of Portuguese wine with the purchase of their brilliantly priced set menus. They will also launch a new Portuguese wine to accompany the promotional menus.

Your nearest D&D Restaurant:

Almeida – Islington
Avenue – St James
Bluebird – Chelsea
Blue Print Café – Tower Bridge
Kensington Place – Notting Hill
Le Pont de La Tour – Tower Bridge
Skylon – South Bank Complex
Royal Exchange – Bank

Click here to find out more and to book.

From 21st to 24th June, ViniPortugal took 14 Hotel du Vin Sommeliers on a trip to numerous vineyards in Portugal, tasting hundreds of wines each day… it’s a tough job but someone has to do it!

They were escorted by Ana and Sarah from ViniPortugal. The trip encompassed a tour along the Douro, visiting the following vineyards along the way:

• Real Companhia Velha cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia
• Symington Family Estates
• Quinta do Côtto
• Quinta do Noval
• Niepoort
• Quinta do Portal
• Quinta dos Roques
• Quinta dos Carvalhais / Sogrape
• Aliança Vinhos de Portugal

To read more about the Hotel du Vin trip, visit www.viniportugal.co.uk/blog and visit our Facebook Fan page to see all the pictures, search ‘Wines of Portugal’.

The Tesco wine buyers have just returned from a trip to Portugal, including a visit to Sala Ogival, ViniPortugal’s tasting room in Oporto. They tasted a range of fantastic wines and will be following up their research within the next few weeks.

Pink Elephant Rosé was enjoyed by a host of stars from the world of tennis and entertainment at the annual WTA Pre Wimbledon Party at the Kensington Roof Gardens. Top players such as Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic joined celebrities Jonathan Ross, Russell Brand, Bruce Forsyth & The Sugababes plus many more to celebrate the start of the Wimbledon fortnight on Thursday June 17th at the party hosted by Sir Richard Branson.

Pereira D’Oliveira entered three Maderia wines for the 2010 International Wine Spirit Competition and were awarded three medals :-

Gold Medal, Best in Class – Reserva 1908 Boal
Silver Medal, Best in Class – Colheita 1981 Verdelho
Bronze Medal – Colheita 1990 Malvsaia.

These award winning wines, and many other vintages, including “Anniversary” wines of 20 years, 25 years, 30 years and 100 years old are available from

Bovey Wines www.boveywines.co.uk
e-mail boveywines@btconnect.com
Tel 01208 862613

Ince Wines had success at the International Wine Challenge, their Quinta do Corujao Reserva 2007 (by Antonio Batista) was awarded the Dao Trophy while thier other wine Solar dos Lobos Grande Escolha 2007 (by Antonio Lobo) was awarded the Alentejo Trophy!

Russell Mellor has been awarded a Silver Medal for their White Port NV from Quinta do Bucheiro in the Decanter World Wine Competition, and a Bronze in the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Russell said ‘I am somewhat chuffed! I was delighted as an independent to be recognised for the quality of our Ports’

www.russellmellor.co.uk

Are you interested in promoting Portuguese Wines, organising a tutored tasting, offering a Portuguese Wine by the Glass, or offering a discounted case to your customers at a reduced price? If so, please present your ideas to us. ViniPortugal will finance up to 75% of the cost of wine for your project.

For the fourth year, ViniPortugal is running a hugely dynamic promotional activity offering bursary schemes to restaurants, hotels and independent merchants throughout the UK. Our objective is to encourage as many consumers as possible to taste, understand and enjoy the Wines of Portugal.

For more information or to apply for a bursary please e-mail sarah@jkmarketing.co.uk

Want to know even more about Portuguese wines? Get your copy of The Wine & Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal at a special price of £11.87 (rrp £16.95)

The Wine & Food Lover’s Guide to Portugal by wine writers Charles Metcalfe and Kathryn McWhirter is a 446-page hardback travel guide to the whole of the country and its islands, specially designed for people who like to drink and eat well. It recommends wineries to visit (and points out their best wines), the best restaurants (traditional as well as new-wave modern), unmissable tourist attractions, and characterful hotels and places to stay. No one paid to be included – reviews are independent and critical. Highly illustrated and beautifully designed, with 19 specially-commissioned maps and 1,600 colour photos, it’s meant to be used as you travel, but it makes a great coffee table book, too, and a perfect present. For more info and a sample chapter, visit www.innhousepublishing.com but for the promotional price, order your copy on Amazon.