# Casa Relvas Touriga Nacional (2023)

- **Producer:** Casa Relvas
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Touriga Nacional
- **Region:** Alentejo, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, violet, lavender, herbaceous

## About this wine

Established in 1997 by Alexandre Relvas at Herdade de São Miguel in Redondo, Casa Relvas is a family-run estate now led by the second generation, brothers Alexandre Jr. and António. Relvas, who grew up in Africa, was drawn to Alentejo because its vast plains and cork forests mirrored his childhood home. The estate is highly committed to sustainability, holding official Earth Friendly status under the Alentejo Wines Sustainability Programme. They manage 350 hectares of vineyards and actively work on local biodiversity, including reforesting native woodlands and breeding the endangered native Miranda donkey. This wine highlights Touriga Nacional, Portugal's flagship grape, in a rare single-varietal bottling from the Alentejano region.

## Interesting facts

- Casa Relvas uses a flock of over 400 native Merino sheep for natural weed control and organic fertilization in the vineyards.
- The winery actively breeds the endangered native Miranda donkey as part of its extensive biodiversity and sustainability initiatives.
- While Touriga Nacional is typically used in blends, this bottling is a rare 100% single-varietal expression of Portugal's king of grapes.

## Food pairing

This medium-to-full-bodied red wine pairs exceptionally well with grilled and roasted meats due to its structured tannins and refreshing acidity, which cut through rich fats. The absence of oak aging preserves bright primary fruit and floral notes, making it highly versatile for herb-infused poultry and earthy vegetarian dishes like mushroom risotto. Its lively acidity also beautifully balances the tanginess of soft cheeses.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested mechanically during the cool night hours to preserve freshness. Upon arrival at the winery, they undergo total destemming followed by a cold pre-fermentation maceration for 48 hours. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at 22°C to 28°C, utilizing a slow extraction process to prioritize primary fruit aromatics. To showcase the pure, unadorned character of the Touriga Nacional grape, the wine is matured for six months exclusively in stainless steel tanks before bottling, completely avoiding oak contact.