Domini Douro DOC - José Maria da Fonseca

The red wine Domini Douro DOC - José Maria da Fonseca presents itself in the glass in a clear ruby red. On the nose it unfolds a characterful bouquet of blackberry, rockrose, and heather blossoms. These floral and fruity notes reflect the typical expressive power of the Douro and are accompanied by subtle wood nuances from aging in new French and American oak.

On the palate, this Douro red wine is fruit-driven, balanced, and harmonious. Soft tannins give it structure without seeming edgy. The fruit clearly remains in the foreground, while the short maturation in new oak adds extra depth, fine spice, and a rounded texture. The finish is soft, long, and shaped by the characteristic style of a Douro wine.

The Domini Douro DOC - José Maria da Fonseca comes from the Douro Superior and is produced from grapes grown in José Maria da Fonseca’s own vineyards. The region stands for expressive red wines with fruit, structure, and regional individuality. Slate soils, a warm climate, and the special landscape of the Douro Valley have a lasting influence on this wine’s character.

The cuvée consists of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Francesa. Touriga Nacional contributes intense fruit, floral notes, and structure. Tinta Roriz adds power, spice, and red to dark fruit. Touriga Francesa provides elegance, fine aromatics, and balance. Together, they create a harmonious Portuguese red wine with a typical Douro personality.

• Color: ruby red
• Aroma: blackberry, rockrose, heather blossoms
• Palate: fruity, balanced, soft, with gentle tannins
• Grape varieties: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Francesa
• Origin: Douro DOC, Douro Superior, Portugal
• Soil: slate
• Aging: 3 months in new French and American oak
• Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.

1. Characterful red wine from the Douro Superior
2. Fruity bouquet with blackberry and floral notes
3. Soft tannins and good balance on the palate
4. Long, soft finish with typical Douro character
5. Ideal with meat dishes and cheese

Production of Domini Douro DOC by José Maria da Fonseca

The Domini Douro DOC - José Maria da Fonseca comes from the Douro Superior, a renowned winegrowing region in northern Portugal. José Maria da Fonseca produces this wine from grapes grown in his own vineyards in the Douro. The vines grow on slate soils that store warmth, drain water well, and contribute to the concentration and structure of the grapes.

The region is known for powerful yet elegant red wines. Hot days, cooler nights, and the barren soils support a slow, aromatically intense ripening. This allows the grapes to develop a good balance of fruit, tannin, and freshness.

For Domini, the Portuguese grape varieties Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Francesa are used. Fermentation takes place over 8 to 10 days at about 28 °C with full maceration on the skins. During this phase, color, aroma, and tannin are extracted from the berry skins, giving the wine its ruby red color, its fruity aromatics, and its structure.

The red wine then matures for 3 months in new French and American oak. This short barrel aging smooths the tannins and complements the fruit with subtle woody and spicy notes. The aging is deliberately kept balanced so that the Douro character and the fruit of the grape varieties remain clearly recognizable.

The style of José Maria da Fonseca combines experience, origin, and precise cellar work. With Domini, this traditional estate presents its interpretation of an accessible, balanced, and characterful Douro red wine.

Serving recommendations for Domini Douro DOC by José Maria da Fonseca

The Domini Douro DOC - José Maria da Fonseca pairs excellently with meat dishes and cheese. Its fruity nature, soft tannins, and good balance make it a versatile companion for hearty dishes.

• Ideal with grilled beef
• Very good with lamb with herbs
• Suitable for braised dishes with dark sauce
• Well-matched with pasta with spicy ragout
• Harmonious with aged cheese

It is also a very good choice for a cozy dinner or a convivial meal with friends. In a tulip-shaped red wine glass, the bouquet of blackberry, floral notes, and fine wood spice can unfold particularly well.

The ideal serving temperature is 16 °C. At this temperature, the wine’s fruit shows clearly, the tannins seem soft, and the balance comes into its own. A short period of aeration in the glass can further open up the aromatics.

For proper storage, a cool environment of about 12 °C and sufficient humidity is recommended. The wine has an aging potential of around 6 years after bottling. During this time, fruit, tannin, and wood can further come together and lend the wine additional harmony.

1. Serving temperature: 16 °C
2. Food pairing: meat dishes and cheese
3. Glass recommendation: tulip-shaped red wine glass
4. Aging potential: around 6 years after bottling

With its ruby red color, fruity scent of blackberry, floral notes of rockrose and heather blossoms, and its soft, long finish, the Domini Douro DOC - José Maria da Fonseca is a harmonious and characterful red wine from the Douro.

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