Alexandre Relvas, Chief Winemaker & Co-Owner, Casa Relvas (Alentejo, Portugal)
In 2018, I embarked on my first and only trip to Portugal to visit wineries in Alentejo and it was magical. But after chatting with fifth generation vintner Alexandre Relvas on Instagram Live, I know that my next journey to Alentejo would be incomplete without a visit to Casa Relvas. You can watch our conversation and tasting on IGTV, YouTube, or by clicking the video below.
During our conversation, Alexandre described Alentejo's rich winemaking history and how wines made in amphora are an integral part of the region's legacy. We tasted two wines that display Casa Relvas's commitment to innovation and tradition: Art.Terra Amphora Red 2020 ($22.99) and Herdade de Sāo Miguel Escolha dos Enólogos 2019 ($22.99).
As the names indicates, Art.Terra Amphora Red was crafted in amphora. These large clay vessels, called Talhas de Barro in Portuguese, can be traced back to the Romans and have been used for winemaking in Alentejo for more than 2,000 years. A blend of 50% Aragonez, 40% Trincadeira, and 10% Moreto; Art.Terra is bright and fresh with hints of herbs and earth.
Aged in French oak barrels for 9 months, Herdade de Sāo Miguel Escolha dos Enólogos is a blend of 50% Alicante Bouschet, 30% Touriga Franca, and 20% Touriga Nacional. It is a rich and round wine with vibrant fruit, floral, and spice flavors. Not familiar with Portuguese wine grapes? In the video, Alexandre shares wonderful descriptions of each variety and what they contribute to the blend. He also describes how amphora impacts the style of the wine.
