Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal - Casa Ermelinda Freitas

In the glass, the Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal - Casa Ermelinda Freitas presents itself in a dense, dark ruby red with violet reflections that intensely catch the light. Its high viscosity slowly traces church-window patterns down the side of the glass, already hinting at the concentrated richness of this dessert wine.

On the nose, an opulent play of aromas unfolds. Ripe figs, dates and juicy dried plums combine with notes of hazelnut, toasted almonds and caramelized sugar crust. Spicy nuances of cinnamon, cloves and a hint of nutmeg blend with delicate floral hints of Rosenmuskateller. Subtle vegetal notes recall candied orange peel, Mediterranean herbs and delicate tea aromas.

On the palate, it displays a rich, sweet style with impressive depth. The sweetness is rounded, dense and layered, supported by lively acidity that gives the wine structure and clear definition. The texture is creamy, almost liqueur-like, without sacrificing elegance. Subtle tannins lie silkily across the tongue, creating a harmonious counterpoint to the intense fruit sweetness. The finish is very long, with lingering impressions of fig, toasted nuts and finely spiced wood.

This red wine comes from the Península de Setúbal, a traditional region south of Lisbon. The Rosenmuskateller grape (Moscato Rosa) takes center stage here and reveals its full exotic radiance. The Atlantic-influenced climate, with many hours of sunshine and cool coastal breezes, supports a slow, aromatic ripening of the grapes.

• Wine color: intense, dark ruby red with violet reflections
• Aroma: fig, dried fruit, hazelnut, spicy and floral notes
• Taste: sweet, concentrated, creamy, with lively acidity
• Grape variety: Rosenmuskateller (Moscato Rosa), varietal
• Origin: Península de Setúbal, Portugal
• Vinification: stainless steel tanks and small French and American oak barrels
• Finish: long, intense, nutty and spicy

1. Intense fruit: fig, date, dried plum
2. Toasted accents: hazelnut, caramel, toasted almonds
3. Spice: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, delicate herbal hints
4. Structure: creamy richness, lively acidity, gentle tannins
5. Style: opulent Old World dessert wine with a modern, refined finish

Production of the Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal - Casa Ermelinda Freitas

The grapes for this wine come from selected parcels in the Península de Setúbal. The region enjoys warm, sunny summers, while the Atlantic brings fresh breezes. This combination gives the berries intense aromas and concentrated ripeness. The soils consist predominantly of sandy and clay layers with occasional calcareous inclusions, allowing the vines to root deeply and produce particularly characterful grapes.

Rosenmuskateller is regarded as a demanding yet highly aromatic variety. The berries reach full ripeness late in the year and develop typical notes of exotic blossoms, dried fruit and spicy nuances. Harvesting is carried out carefully by hand, grape by grape, so that only fully ripe, sound fruit is brought into the cellar. Small crates protect the delicate berries from damage during transport and preserve their fragrant aromas.

In the cellar, Casa Ermelinda Freitas relies on a combination of modern technology and traditional expertise. Gentle pressing takes place first, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation of the must in stainless steel tanks. This preserves the varietal aromas with clarity and precision. The wine then continues to mature both in stainless steel and in small French and American oak barriques.

American oak contributes warm vanilla notes and delicate hints of coconut, while French oak provides fine spice, structure and subtle toasted aromas. The approximately five-month maturation period in wood supports the harmonious integration of the sweetness, giving the wine depth and impressive length. The signature of Casa Ermelinda Freitas is evident in the balance between opulent aromatics, intense sweetness and clear structure.

The Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal - Casa Ermelinda Freitas therefore embodies an individual, characterful dessert wine that interprets the tradition of the Península de Setúbal in a contemporary way. Every step in the vineyard and cellar is aimed at maximum aromatic concentration and impressive complexity.

Serving suggestions for Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal - Casa Ermelinda Freitas

This Rosenmuskateller is an ideal companion for opulent dessert occasions. Its dense sweetness and nutty, spicy character complement a broad range of desserts. Particularly appealing are combinations in which chocolate, nuts and dried fruit play the leading role.

• Perfect with creamy chocolate cake, chocolate tartlets or chocolate fondant
• Excellent with nut-based desserts featuring hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds
• Wonderful with caramel desserts, crème brûlée or salted caramel
• Expressive with fig tart, fig pastries and desserts featuring dried fruit
• Intriguing with robust, mature hard cheeses as a sweet-and-salty contrast

As an aperitif, this wine provides a sensual, aromatic introduction to a special menu. Enjoyed after a long day, it reveals its full power as a soloist in a Bordeaux glass. In a peaceful setting, perhaps accompanied by soft music or a good book, it creates a moment of pure wine indulgence.

The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. Served slightly cooler, the wine reveals its fresh, lively side with pronounced fruit. At a slightly higher temperature, nutty and spicy aromas become more prominent, while the texture appears even creamier and denser. A high-quality Bordeaux glass supports the development of the complex aromas and concentrates their abundance on the nose.

Thanks to its high concentration and careful maturation, this wine offers remarkable aging potential of up to three decades from the vintage. Storage in a dark, consistent environment at a relatively cool temperature allows for a slow, intriguing development in the bottle. Over time, the aromas deepen, the fruit becomes even more complex, and nutty and spicy nuances gain in expression.

Whether as an extraordinary gift, the highlight of a dessert course or a special bottle for intimate me-time moments, this Moscatel Roxo from Casa Ermelinda Freitas adds a characterful, sensual dessert wine from Portugal’s sun-drenched Península de Setúbal to any well-curated wine selection.

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