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Pioneers of the Douro since 1880
Founded in 1880 by brothers Adriano and Antonio, this Port house has always had a pioneering spirit. In the early 20th century it became noted for its innovative and enterprising commercial strategies including the distinctive art nouveau advertising campaign.
Ramos Pinto is run today by the heirs of these two energetic vintners: Jorge Rosas, Export Director and João Nicolau de Almeida, the enologist who was responsible for officially identifying the five key grape varieties (out of over 70 originally grown) that are best suited to wine production in the Douro region. His findings have been adopted by the authorities for all new plantings. In addition he introduced and developed vertical vine planting techniques in the region and has advanced Port and wine vinification by building two of the most modern wineries in the whole Douro region (at Quinta do Bom Retiro and Quinta dos Bons Ares).
In 1990 Ramos Pinto became part of the Champagne Louis Roederer group, which shares a similar family owned history and has since enjoyed significant investment and further improvements in quality.
Vineyards
Among Port producers, Ramos Pinto enjoys the distinction of holding the largest proportion of vineyards in relation to its production, giving them a high degree of control over viticultural methods at harvest time. The House tends 187 hectares (460 acres) of prime vineyards in the Alto Corgo and Douro Superior areas of the famed Douro region, the mountainous vallies formed by the Douro River and its tributaries. All situated in the areas of the Cima-Corgo and the Douro Superior, the four quintas or estates that make up Ramos Pinto’s holdings are: Quinta do Bom Retiro: in Pinhão, planted exclusively with red varieties. Quinta da Urtiga: adjacent to Bom Retiro. Quinta da Ervamoira: in the far upper Douro, by the Côa river near the Spanish border. Here the grapes grow in dry semi-desert conditions. Quinta dos Bons Ares: a cooler site with some of the highest vineyards in the Douro. Both red and white varieties ripen here with great natural acidity and fresh flavours. The award-winning ten-, twenty- and thirty-year-old Tawnies are produced at Quinta da Ervamoira and Bom Retiro respectively.
TABLE WINES: DUAS QUINTAS Ramos Pinto also produces a notable selection of table wines from native Douro varieties. The fruit is sourced from two locations: the hot and dry environment of the Quinta da Ervamoira and the cool, high altitude Quinta dos Bons Ares, hence the name ‘Duas Quintas’. The resultant wine reflects these origins well, combining ripeness and structure with freshness and vivacity. The latest wine in the range, ‘Collection’ is a well-balanced, complex, fruity and elegant Douro red wine. The blend (Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca) comes from Quinta da Ervamoira and Quinta do Bom Retiro. The idea behind the concept is to change the label (along with the blend) with each vintage, making use of the very best each harvest brings and their unique collection of art deco illustrations designed for Adriano Ramos Pinto in the 1930s.
Visit the web site for Adriano Ramos Pinto
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