Red Wine

Casa Ferreirinha

Barca Velha 2011, 75cl

Douro

Casa Ferreirinha

The Wine: Barca Velha is the epitome, the first, an unquestionable symbol of the highest quality of Douro wines. Classic, intense, complex, elegant, and rich, the adjectives are few to describe what has been, since its creation in 1952, the most celebrated Portuguese wine. Barca Velha is the foundation upon which the reputation of Casa Ferreirinha has been built, the brand with the greatest tradition of quality in the Douro and one of the leading global references. Barca Velha is declared only in truly exceptional years (19 in total, including 2011).

Vinification: The hand-harvested grapes for Barca Velha 201 were vinified by separate varieties or in selected lots in the vineyard and/or upon reception at the Quinta da Leda winery. After total destemming and gentle crushing, alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and robotic lagares. During this period, pump-overs and “pigeages” were performed with robots, with temperature controlled by an automatic system. A long skin maceration was also carried out to achieve the desired aromatic and polyphenolic extraction. In the end, and at the moment required by each variety/lot, the wine was blended and its masses pressed, with the resulting wine from pressing kept separate from the free-run juice.

Maturation: The wines were transported to V.N. de Gaia immediately after the end of maceration, where, after the finishing fermentations, they underwent aging in French oak barrels of 225 liters capacity, 75% new wood and 25% used wood. The Barca Velha 2011 matured for about 18 months. The final blend was carefully selected through several tastings during this period, ensuring the high quality of the final product. The final batch was made based on the continuous selection of the best wines, resulting from numerous tastings and analyses carried out during this time on the different lots and barrels available. To preserve its highest quality, Barca Velha 2011 was bottled without treatment, hence the natural formation of deposits.

Storage: Although ready to drink now, Barca Velha has a long aging potential and evolves positively in the bottle, provided it is stored lying down, in a dry and cool place, away from light. Its peak? Perhaps 15-20 years after harvest, but it is expected to remain vibrant for an indeterminate period.

Allergens information

Contains sulphites.

Sogrape Vinhos

Sogrape Vinhos was born of the will and courage of a group of friends. In the difficult economic and political environment of 1942, they decided to stake everything on the visionary talents of one man. This man had the vision to create and develop an innovative wine company with a difference, one which could make and promote Portuguese wines on a global scale.

This vision belonged to Fernando van Zeller Guedes, whose character and forceful personality paved the way for a successful venture that many believed was doomed to fail from the outset. The unparalleled foresight and vision of Sogrape’s founder, resulted in the creation of the first global Portuguese wine brand – Mateus Rosé. Sold in over 120 countries, this proved to be such a resounding commercial success that it provided the decisive momentum for the growth as well as affirming the leadership of which the Company is so proud. The willingness to innovate and the ambition to do things differently – along with respect for tradition and the values of ethics and responsibility – marked the birth of an organization that has proved capable of preserving its founder’s vision and adapting to inevitably changing times. Today, led by the third generation of the founding family, Sogrape Vinhos is ever more closely dedicated to meeting the founding objective: to bring the world quality Portuguese wine brands, with sufficient volume to satisfy the needs of different market segments.

From the pioneering days of buying barrels of wine from small producers in the Douro for processing and bottling in a rented cellar in Vila Real, Sogrape Vinhos has steadily grown. Continuous investment has expanded and developed the company’s assets and workforce to such a degree that Sogrape Vinhos owns over 830 hectares of vineyards in all the key Portuguese wine regions. Nowadays, the full scope of Sogrape Vinhos is clearly demonstrated by the breadth and weight of its portfolio. At first glance, what immediately stands out is the presence of two major global Portuguese wine brands – Mateus Rosé and Sandeman as well as the prestigious wines of Porto Ferreira and Offley. Added to which are the renowned specialist brands that represent the major Portugese wine regions. Beginning with the most famous Portuguese wine of all, Barca Velha, the pride of Casa Ferreirinha (Douro) and continuing with the elegant wines of Quinta dos Carvalhais (Dão), the vibrant Herdade do Peso (Alentejo), the fresh Vinhos Verdes of Quinta de Azevedo and Gazela, and the multi-regional Grão Vasco, to name but a few.

To tell the story of Sogrape Vinhos it is essential to retrace the origins and evolution of the plan conceived by this visionary man. And then to appreciate how his successors have inherited his values and pursued them with dedication, vigour and expertise to grow and develop Portugal’s leading wine company. Above all, the achievements of such a large team are promoted with pride and sustained by the ambition to innovate and enhance all that Sogrape Vinhos has to offer.

Address

Sogrape Vinhos S.A.

Aldeia Nova
4430 – 809 Avintes
Vila Nova de Gaia