Real Companhia Velha began producing quality sparkling wines using the "Champenoise" method in the 2011 vintage. This first edition was a wine made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, grown at Quinta de Cidrô. At the time, this wine was launched under the RCV Séries brand as part of an unprecedented experimental project. This was followed by a quest to produce a great sparkling wine in the Douro region, focused entirely on these two grape varieties, traditional to the Champagne region. The grape harvest follows specific criteria for sparkling wine production, prioritizing pronounced acidity in harmony with a fine and delicate profile of aromas and flavors.
In the 2019 vintage, among the sparkling wines produced from the Chardonnay grape, a very special wine emerged from plot 4B, one of the oldest at the Quinta. It enchanted us with its acidity and a very rich and enveloping tasting profile. It was decided to bottle this wine in 2021, and after 3 years of bottle aging, it was confirmed that these are indeed wines of great elegance and complexity, with typical notes of brioche, white flowers, and hints of honey and citrus, maintaining richness and depth on the palate without losing its overall finish and vivacity.
The grapes are harvested by hand and transported to the winery in 20kg boxes. After undergoing a manual selection process, the bunches are directed to the press without destemming, where a gentle pressing takes place. After a 24-hour settling period, the alcoholic fermentation of the must follows in stainless steel tanks at 14-16ºC. The base wine is transferred to used French oak barrels where it ages for a period of 5 years until bottling. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle, respecting the traditional method. After another 5 years of aging in the bottle, the wine, now sparkling, is individually disgorged, thus becoming ready for consumption.
A beautiful nose, full of nuances reminiscent of champagne, with hints of brioche, toasted almonds, honey, white flowers, and citrus fruits, in a very elegant and delicate profile. The nose surprises with its finesse, yet it evokes the Douro region through its depth and evident aromas.
Na prova mostra-se igualmente fino, com uma textura muito envolvente mas ao mesmo tempo revela sabores vivos e vibrantes. O seu perlage mantém a consistência econtribui para que o vinho termine longo, com várias camadas.
