Sogevinus Port Houses Kopke and Burmester prepare market launches for the last quarter of the year
The two Port Houses, which are part of Sogevinus Fine Wines group, announce the release of 2017 Vintage Ports, a year marked by an atypical vine growing cycle and harvest timings, which resulted in low yields of exceptional quality.
The low yield of 2017 and the thorough selection of grapes favoured the production of Kopke and Burmester classic Vintages.
Made with grapes from two different Douro subregions, Cima-Corgo and Douro Superior respectively, these Vintages reflect their terroir and the identity and character of each of the labels.
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The harvest of 2018 can be summarised in a short sentence: lower yield but of very fine quality.
Started on 22nd August / finished on 19th October
Estates: in a total of 210 hectares of owned vinyeards and other grape producers:
Winemaking Team:
Viticulture Team:
The vintage cycle began with a cold and dry winter. Spring went on cold albeit wet, which delayed the beginning of the vegetative cycle. The level of rain in March was twice the average, whilst April and May showed levels of rain similar to the 30-year average (Climatological Normal).
June registered rain and hail, which caused a significant loss of yield in some areas of the Douro. Rainfall was also high, twice as much as the average levels for the month.
The weather conditions at the end of spring and beginning of summer brought about some issuues in the vineyard, especially mildew. But the care and quick response from the growers saved the vines and enabled the good growth of the berries.
The rest of the summer was rather hot and dry; August and September were some of the hottest months of the last decade. At Quinta de S. Luiz, in the Douro subregion of Cima Corgo, the top temperatures in August were an average of 35.9°C.
So much so that there were some periods of sunburn, which led to losses in the vineyard. On those vines where the leaves better sheltered the clusters, the grapes matured nicely. In spite of summer’s high temperatures, the plants were able to extract the necessary water and nutrients from the soil, which contributed to a fine and healthy crop.
The immutable patched pattern of soils, altitudes and grape varieties was undoubtedly responsible for a yield of high quality grapes. 2018 was an unpredictable year, but Sogevinus’ viticulture team believes that it has delivered a harvest of potentially great wines.
Faced with lower quantities of grapes coming into the winery, Sogevinus’ winemaking team devoted a good chunk of the harvest time to observing the berries carefully and closely following up the first fermentation stages.
In this challenging year for the Douro (and Portugal as a whole), the majority of the berries that were of lesser quality simply succumbed, and so the grapes that actually came into our wineries were of excellent health, and exceptionally so in some cases.
In Port wines, the musts show very intense colouring, firm and dense tannins, and are still aromatically quite restrained at this stage.
Similar to recent years, the grape variety Touriga Franca stands out for its wines of great concentration. Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz are also raising interest, but we will have to wait for the next winter to better judge which of the varieties have the unique characteristics to be the basis for the special category wines.
The prospect of evolution is therefore quite positive.
Having to respect the growth cycle of each variety in each location demanded a constant supervision of the grapes’ maturation in the field and picking timings. This year, the waiting was worth it.
The white wines are fresh and wonderfully aromatic, and have excellent acidity, which is a good sign of ageing potential. The variety Viosinho, for instance, shows perfect balance. Other white varieties – like Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Ribagato, Arinto and Folgasão – are showing qualities that promise very interesting blends, with higher altitude grapes (above 550 metres) expressing extraordinary elegance and character.
As for the red wines, Touriga Franca has done amazingly well, no doubt because it’s a variety that deals efficiently with high temperatures. Touriga Nacional is showing its usual fineness and floral distinctiveness; Tinta Roriz has incredible freshness and tightness; and Sousão, having had an early harvest, presents full body and intense colour.
One last note about the wines from old vines; these are showing a strong balance between fruit and floral notes, which with firm structure and final freshness, signal longevity.
In the wine making business, waiting for the right moment is always a virtue. And we all know great wines need time.
The oldest Port Wine House honours its founder, Cristiano Nicolau Kopke, with rare and exclusive wine from the beginning of the 20th century
A rare and exclusive wine – a blend of nectars that have rested in the cellars of the oldest Port Wine House for a nearly a hundred years. Very old tawnies from the 1920s and 1930s and the remarkable Colheita 1900 make up this Kopke CNK Very Old Tawny Port.
Limited to 380 numbered bottles, Kopke CNK is an homage to the House’s founder, Cristiano Nicolau Kopke, symbolising endeavour, care, dedication, passion, foresight and expertise of the generations of people who have striven to preserve a living legacy, which we share with the world today. It also reminds us of the everyday duty we have to safeguard this legacy for future generations.
Most of the wines that make up this blend have been maturing in casks of 650 litres. The only exception is the oldest – Colheita 1900 – which has aged in a large oak vat of 2500 litres. Kopke CNK Very Old Tawny Port has a mahogany colour streaked by greenish hues. The nose reveals notes of spice, fig, almond, walnut, coffee, chocolate and a hint of snuff… And then, on the palate, flavours of jelly, cinnamon, resin, curry and balsamic. The balance between sweetness and acidity is perfect, its finish is powerful but fresh, and lengthy.
I am lucky to be able to work with unique wines, some of them extremely old. This is truly special. I am very proud of this blend and I thank all the Kopke winemakers and blenders before me for preserving these remarkable wines, which are a living legacy. My daily mission is exactly the same: to look after the wines that will make the next generation’s future”
Carlos Alves, Sogevinus Fine Wines' Port winemaker.
To reinforce the exclusivity of this wine, Kopke has developed a special bottle in Marinha Grande, the heart of the glass industry in Portugal, that shows the beautiful colour of the wine. The packaging has been developed by OM Design and includes a Portuguese walnut wooden box and leather trims.
The wine was officially presented on 21st June, during a party to celebrate Kopke’s 380th anniversary that took place in Vila Nova de Gaia, gathering more than eighty guests – amongst them importers, distributors, Portuguese and International press, government officials and wine institutions.
All come from Douro Superior and Cima Corgo sub-regions and are developing into excellent options for pairing with a wide range of dishes or for daily consumption.
DOC Colheita Burmester and DOC Tavedo mark the launch of Casa Burmester’s new image. The main challenge was to combine a long history that goes back to 1750 with the modern concepts of elegance and sophistication that are the characteristics of Casa Burmester. Its new image reflects this history and character, with graphic lines and colours chosen to reinforce the brand’s values.
Under the seal of Casa Burmester, the brand Tavedo is released on to the market for a more immediate and relaxed occasion.
‘Respect Douro Superior Cima Corgo terroirs and pass on to the wines the character of the traditional grape varieties of the region’ were the objectives of Ricardo Macedo, the winemaker of DOC wines at Sogevinus Fine Wines. ‘Our aim is to have minimal intervention in these wines, in which we have preserved the pureness of the fruit and the primeness of the schistose soil’.
Respect Douro Superior Cima Corgo terroirs and pass on to the wines the character of the traditional grape varieties of the region”
Ricardo Macedo, the winemaker of DOC wines at Sogevinus Fine Wines.
Made with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz grapes, planted in schistose soil at between 250 and 450 metres high, Burmester red 2016 shows firmness and balance, a great deal of elegance and a long finish.
Burmester white 2017is a blend of Malvasia Fina, Gouveio and Rabigato grapes, planted at between 300 and 550 metres high; it reveals aromas of flint, and is fresh and delicate.
Tavedo red 2017 combines the grape varieties Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Nacional. Very appealing, it shows notes of red fruit and wild berries.
Tavedo white 2017is made with Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato, Folgazão and Cerceal grapes. Fresh and with good acidity right until the finish.
Sogevinus Fine Wines Port Houses prepares market launches for the last quarter of the year
In keeping with each brand’s identity and the profile established throughout their history, Kopke, Burmester, Cálem and Barros are launching Vintage Ports loaded with character and enormous ageing potential, translating secure values.
It was a particularly challenging year. We really had to make use of our profound knowledge of the grapes and vines, as each variety and each plot of vineyard developed at a different pace.
Generally speaking, the 2016 Vintage Ports are brimming with colour and full of structure, with a profile that is more concentrated, robust and intense when compared to the 2015 Vintages. A classic style for a Vintage.
Being patient and waiting for the right time was worth it, as demonstrated by the exceptional results we achieved with our various wines”
Carlos Alves, Port winemaker at Sogevinus.
November and December 2015 were dry months, but the remaining Winter saw high levels of rainfall, especially during January and February 2016. Temperatures in December and January were above the average of the last 30 years.
Spring came with lots of rain and cold, which delayed the vine growth cycle. With higher temperatures and humidity in late Spring, it was necessary to increase the maintenance and care of the vineyards, acting at precisely the right time. Summer was very hot and dry, with thunder and hale occurring in July, which resulted in substantial yield losses in some specific locations.
Harvesting began around 10 days later than in 2015, a consequence of the delay in the vine growth cycle – a cold early Spring followed by a very hot Summer. Most of the grape bunches were smaller than normal, but that was offset by a good pulp/skin ratio and by a richer and more complex fruit.
Different ripening paces in different vineyard plots made it necessary to plan the harvest meticulously, something our viticulture team, lead by Márcio Nóbrega, did to perfection. The picking was done according to the optimum ripening point of each variety, plot by plot. The harvest of the white Port wine varieties began on September 12th and the red Port wine varieties a day later, with grapes from the Douro Superior.
The best performing variety was Touriga Franca, followed very closely by Touriga Nacional.
Grape varieties: Old vines (60%) [more than 50 years old from Quinta de S. Luiz, subregion of Cima Corgo] and Touriga Nacional (40%)
A deep black colour. An intense and complex nose, laden with very ripe black fruit – plums, blackberries and cherries. Notes of cocoa, black pepper and a soft hint of violet. Unctuous and vigorous, it has several layers of flavours, firm tannins and excellent balance between sweetness and acidity. A long, deep and fresh finish.
Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional (50%) and Touriga Franca (50%), from vines more than 25 years old from Quinta do Arnozelo, Douro Superior.
Ruby colour. Exuberant aromas of red fruit, black currants, rock-rose and light peppermint notes. Extremely elegant and delicate, keeping with the profile of the house, it has firm structure, excellent flavours of ripe fruit and excellent acidity. A long and harmonious finish.
Grape Varieties: Touriga Nacional (30%), Touriga Franca (30%), Tinta Roriz (30%) and Sousão (10%), subregion of Douro Superior.
Purple colour. Subtle on the nose, with notes of very ripe black fruit, dark chocolate and spice. With a powerful and intense structure, it shows a balance between acidity and sweetness that confers creaminess and sophistication. A long finish, with lingering fruit.
Grape Varieties: Touriga Franca (40%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Touriga Nacional (20%) and Tinta Barroca (10%) from Quinta da Galeira, subregion of Cima Corgo.
Dark ruby colour. A fragrant nose, combining notes of fresh fruit, notes of peppermint and hints of balsamic. Succulent, with a firm structure and delicious fruity character. An incredibly long finish.
Three exceptional Vintage Port wines, produced in a year that presented big challenges for Douro wine makers
The launch of these wines follows the tradition of these Port wine Houses delivering balanced and intense wines with particularly elegant tannins.
These 2015 Vintages by Sogevinus combine impressive technique with master blending while preserving the particular style of each House. The Quintas Vintage Ports are wines of unique character, style and quality, reflecting the excellence of the Demarcated Region of Douro: the singular richness of the terroir and the perfection of the vines in our quintas.
Made with the finest grapes from the best plots of Quinta de S. Luiz and Quinta do Arnozelo.
Kopke Quinta de S. Luiz Vintage 2015 brings in its bottle the character of a unique legacy. Dense in colour, it reveals an exuberant and complex nose with prevailing aromas of very ripe black wild berries wrapped in subtle notes of balsamic and light hints of black pepper. Refined and intense in the mouth, it displays excellent balance between its acidity and very expressive tannins, typical of Kopke’s Single Quinta Vintages. A lengthy and powerful finish, with flavours of ripe black fruit and striking acidity, suggesting a Single Quinta with extraordinary ageing potential.
Our years of experience brings knowledge and thoughtfulness. Kopke’s Quinta Vintages are a demonstration of unique character.. 2015 wasn’t a year for a Kopke classic vintage, as the grapes ripened rather irregularly, producing wines thinner on the palate and less intense in colour, thus lacking the essential requirements of a Kopke Classic Vintage.
In line with the sophisticated and elegant profile that defines its name, Burmester Quinta de Arnozelo Vintage 2015 presents a deep ruby colour with streaks of violet. With an intensely perfumed nose, it shows prevailing aromas of ripe fruit wrapped in notes of mint and hints of black pepper and cassis. On the palate it is intense and vigorous, displaying powerful tannins that fill the mouth. The ripeness of the fruit is well established, delivering a refreshing sensation conveyed by its excellent acidity. A fantastic vintage from a unique quinta – the grapes were carefully selected from the oldest plot in the vineyard. The wine was made in “robotic treading lagares” at a controlled temperature..
Cálem declares a Classic Vintage. In doing so, Cálem reinforces the path of consistency and quality of its wines – a path that has enabled it to achieve and sustain the trust not only of its Portuguese clientele but also of the more than 50 markets to which it exports. Cálem 2015 Vintage Port is made from grapes from the Upper Douro, which result in wines that are more intense, laden with black fruit aromas and balanced. The wine was made in stainless steel “robotic treading lagares” and fermented with 50% of stems. This Cálem Vintage is dark red in colour and slightly closed on the nose. The wine nevertheless displays aromas of very ripe black fruit and hints of spice and cocoa. In the mouth it is robust and intense, with elegant and well-established tannins that linger, revealing a good balance between acidity and sweetness. It finishes with jammy fruit flavours, making this Vintage easy and sweet, with a long and intense finish. It has great ageing potential.
Recognized as the oldest port wine brand, Kopke presents a new image for the range of its Douro wines.
A renewed image, more appealing and with detailed finishes, upgrades the still wines category in line with the category of Port Wines.
The Douro of Kopke reflect the excellence of the wines of this region, the respect for nature and terroir and the dedication in the art of blending.
The Sogevinus Group, which owns the centenary wine houses of Kopke, Burmester, Cálem and Barros, is the leader in the national wine market in Porto.
The Sogevinus Group, which owns the centenary wine houses of Kopke, Burmester, Cálem and Barros, is the leader in the national wine market in Porto, according to the International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR) Annual Report on Alcohol Consumption . In 2012, the group registered a growth of 9% in the domestic market, consecrating the top position among the Oporto wine producers.
“Porto Cálem is an example. A secular brand, which belongs to the collective memory of all the Portuguese.”
For this positive performance, the growth of the Cálem brand, which saw consolidated market leadership achieved last year, grew by 12% year-on-year. With a market share of 23.5%, Cálem has a total sales volume of around 2.6 million bottles in Portugal. Among the various categories, the highlight goes to the charismatic range “Velhotes”, main responsible for the overall performance of the brand.
The latest data from the Institute of Douro and Port Wine now published, referring to the consolidated sales of Oporto wine in 2012, reinforce the leadership of Sogevinus, assigning it the first place in the ranking of sales in Portugal, reaching a share of Market share of 25%. Among the different categories of Port wine, Sogevinus is also an absolute leader (national and international market) in the Porto Harvest category, where its brands are widely recognized.
“Porto Cálem is an example. A secular brand, which belongs to the collective memory of all the Portuguese, but that registers a progressive growth over the years, demonstrating a great vitality and vision of the future. And this vitality is evidenced not only in sales, but also in the significant number of tourists who visit Cálem caves, which remain the most sought after, having registered more than 180,000 visits in 2012 “, adds the person in charge.
With more than 150 years, Porto Cálem continues to grow continuously, with an average annual increase (CAGR) of 7% in the last five years. Undoubtedly the market leader, the Porto wine house is the reference mark of the Portuguese. It produces annually more than 5 million bottles that are sold in Portugal and still in more than 50 international markets, among them: Denmark, Luxembourg, Holland, France, Germany and Brazil. The Annual Report on Consumption of Alcoholic Drinks, published by the IWSR in May 2013, quantifies the global liquor market in volume and value, and provides insight into short- and long-term trends.
Two Porto wines and one DOC Douro wine won the international jury of the Brussels World Competition. Kopke Harvest 1952, Cálem Tawny 20 Years and Burmester DOC Douro Red 2011 bring to Portugal three gold medals.
Sogevinus, owner of the wine brands Kopke, Burmester, Cálem and Barros, was featured in the Brussels World Contest, one of the most prestigious and influential wine competitions. The results reveal 3 Gold medals for Sogevinus, two more than the previous year. An important recognition that reinforces the positioning at the highest level of the group.
Between May 2 and 4, the European capital received and tasted more than 8,060 wines from 58 countries and Portugal participated with 965 wines. The Sogevinus group contributed to the excellent Portuguese results with 3 gold medals.
“With excellent scores and lots of praise, Kopke Porto Colheita 1952 takes this year Gold to the oldest house of Port wine.”
With a brilliant amber color, this wine with more than half a century of history, presents a perfect bouquet that combines notes of nuts with touches of wood, chocolate, hazelnuts and caramel. In the mouth it is well structured, with fine and elegant taste. A complexity that is prolonged by the endless end.
Still in the Port wine category, Calem Tawny 20 Anos is another of the award-winning wines. Of deep brown color it is concentrated in the nose where woody aromas predominate, notes of honey and delicate nuances of spices. On the palate is structured, with firm and polished tannins, soft texture and a persistent and memorable finish.
In the category of tranquil wines, Burmester DOC Douro Red 2011 is proof of excellence in the production of these wines by Sogevinus with the certificate of quality and experience of its centenary Porto wine houses. The full aroma of red and black fruits and soft floral notes combine with mineral notes. In the mouth it shows a good structure and remarkable complexity with firm but balanced tannins. A discreet and elegant wine of enormous gastronomic ability.
In the “high season” of the international wine competitions, this is an excellent result that reinforces the strong positioning of Sogevinus wines in the international scene. The Brussels World Contest celebrates its 20 years of existence this year and its main mission is to offer consumers quality assurance, recognizing top wines that are true consumption and tasting pleasures in all price ranges and in all regions of the world.
The old tawnys of Sogevinus, who owns the wine houses of Porto Kopke, Burmester, Cálem and Barros, were distinguished in the prestigious competition International Wine and Spirits Competition, with excellent scores and high praise.
The IWSC now joins the international applause awarded this year to the houses of Sogevinus, giving scores that reinforce their full potential and exclusivity:
“Warm tawny with amber at rim. The nose is wonderfully refined and effusive, slightly lifted, very complex and with glimpses of treacle, sweet spices, dried fruit and chocolate. There is, throughout, a vein of assertive acidity on the palate which brings out and balances the not overly sweet, dried fruit flavours, Demerara sugar and caramel, leading to an incredibly long, dry finish.”
“Bright tawny amber with a faint pink hue. Candied peel, peach and marmalade, warm and expressive bouquet. Palate is light as a feather, with a liqueur-like quality and subtle notes of toast and coffee; smooth, deep and very long, enfolding richly nuanced flavours in harmonious balance. Sensational.”
“Deep rich amber red colour. Plum and prune flavours with some dried red berries and vanilla. A smashing explosion of flavours in the mouth, very harmonious and elegant, with perfect length and breadth leading to a long rich finish.”
