# Assobio Red (NV)

- **Producer:** Quinta dos Murças
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca
- **Region:** Douro, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €10
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, cherry, blackcurrant, black pepper, vanilla, cedar

## About this wine

Quinta dos Murças was acquired by Esporão in 2008 and is located in the Cima Corgo sub-region of Portugal's Douro Valley. The name 'Assobio' translates to 'whistle' in Portuguese, inspired by the strong winds that whistle across the high-altitude, north-facing slopes of the vineyard. This cooler microclimate allows the grapes to mature slowly while retaining exceptional freshness and balance, presenting a distinctly elegant expression of traditional Douro indigenous grape varieties.

## Interesting facts

- Assobio means 'whistle', named after the cooling winds that blow through the high-altitude vineyard rows.
- Crafted entirely from 100% organically farmed estate vineyards on schist soils in the Douro.
- Aged primarily in concrete and stainless steel (90%) with only 10% French oak to preserve pure fruit freshness.

## Food pairing

The lively acidity and fine-grained tannins cut seamlessly through roasted or grilled meats and savory tomato-based dishes, refreshing the palate while complementing herbaceous accents.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested into small crates, the grapes undergo strict sorting followed by destemming and gentle crushing. A cold pre-fermentation maceration extracts vibrant fruit notes. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks below 25°C. To maintain fruit vibrancy while offering subtle structure, 90% of the blend ages in concrete and stainless steel vats for 6 months, while the remaining 10% matures in used French oak barrels.