Valle do Nídeo Winery, Douro Valley, Portugal
Valle do Nídeo winery is a new member of the Yellow Road from Portugal.
I am grateful to Beatriz Caseiro , Export Manager, for her assistance in preparing this publication.
Oenologist and Valle do Nideo owner Miguel Abrantes answers Yellow Road questions
1 - Let's start with the most beautiful bottle (for my taste) that I
saw in your photos? The label reads: Valle do Nídeo Reserva (Douro DOC).
Is this your best wine?
Is not my top wine, I have made some more special editions, but is
really my best recognized red wine. From vintage to vintage, I have
devoted my best skills in improving it.
As winemaker and due to my terroir in Douro Superior, i think my whites
result in elegant, fruity, and delicate wines. Valle do Nídeo collection
is well known by it. I made four white wines each one was a work of my
art as winemaker and as someone who knows the special characteristics of
the unique Douro Superior.
2 - You have 6 vineyards with fantastic views: QUINTA DO DANIEL, QUINTA
DE AZINHATE, QUINTA NOVA DA MOURA, QUINTA DE FONTELAS, QUINTA DA
VERGEIRA and QUINTA DA VEIGA. And which of the vineyards is the is the
most "alpine"? Is there an observation deck there?
The “most alpine” is a place called Alto da Chã with 450 mts at Quinta
do Daniel, there we have a place that has an amazing view of the
vineyards and river.
3 - And the area of these vineyards is 200 hectares. Why do you need so
many vineyards?
Well, Douro was always in the Family, I am the third family generation
here. Some vineyards came from our ancestor’s others were my family and
myself investment around the years.
In Douro, we not only produce Valle do Nideo wines, as well we have some
parcels to produce the grapes for port wines producers with whom we have
a long and traditional business relationship.
4 - And for all these 200 hectares (if I'm not mistaken) there is only
one boss - Miguel Abrantes. Did I count correctly?
Yes, this 200 Hectares belongs to me and my family.
5 - Portugal of my childhood - this is footballer Eusebio, it seems
number 10, but I don't remember exactly. And his goal from the penalty
spot to our great goalkeeper Yashin in the match for the 3rd place in
the World Championship.
Great player, now is Cristiano Ronaldo our football star, number 7
7 - Your choice (white wine) for the Yellow Road
I have to choose my Valle do Nídeo Reserva White, because has an
excellent balance, the blend of the Douro grapes, Códega de Larinho,
Rabigato e Viosinho, enhanced by the aging in wood result creaminess,
aromatic depth, which results in a sublime experience.
8 - Your vineyards are fantastically beautiful. Do you have your own
(walking) vineyard route?
Yes, Douro, the river side and the high vineyards are during the year a
live painting. In each time of the year the colours in vineyards change
and the river works as a mirror of the sky, all gathers in a unique calm
a peaceful environment, where nature and men work together.
This energy is unique in Douro. That´s why I invite everyone to
experience it, walk in our vineyards.
We have routes not only for us to access and take care of vineyards, but
also to wine tourism activities.
9 - And why are the banks of the Douro River most suitable for
vineyards?
Because, It has a schists soil that maintains temperature during the
night giving a more regular maturation. Favorable to the development of
aromas and complexity.
Douro is also, versatile because the low altitude allows to produce
full-bodied wines with complex and more structured and complex aromas
and the high altitudes, allow wines with acidity and aromatics .
10 - Please share your successes?
For me success is doing what I love honouring my family routes in Douro
and seeing my wines from vintage to vintage being more recognize by the
customers in Portugal and worldwide. All these years, in Portugal we
have received several awards and recognitions. I was convinced this year
to go to awards abroad and was delightful to see my Valle do Nídeo
Alvarinho winning a gold medal at 27 th Mundus Vini Award 2020, first
because is a variety traditional in Vinho Verde region, that I took the
risk to plant it in Douro Superior.
11 - And, if not a secret, plans for the future
For the future in the vineyard we want to keep the work we have done the
latest years to improve our vineyards and terroirs, to maximize the
potential that nature gives us.
In the cellar we have some wine lots are in wood, to see what the
future, will decide them to be.
Our cellar and our new equipment’s to improve our quality, are in plan.
12 - Which white wine producer (from Portugal or another country)
do you recommend for the yellow road?
I recommend Quinta das Marias no Dão, Portugal, they have a great
Encruzado.
Sergey Evtuhov,
author of the "Yellow Road" project
