Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca

In the glass, Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca shows a clear ruby red. On the nose, this Portuguese red wine presents an expressive bouquet with dark fruit, delicate spice and a pronounced mineral note. Hints of licorice, ripe cherry, plum and dark berries combine with subtle wood nuances from maturation in new oak.

On the palate, the wine appears dry, round and soft. The tannins are very smooth and elegantly integrated, without any angular harshness. The integrated oak gives the red wine structure, depth and fine spice, while remaining harmoniously interwoven with the fruit. The cuvée of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet combines Portuguese origin, Mediterranean richness and an approachable, elegant style.

The flavor spectrum on the palate echoes the impressions on the nose and adds notes of blackberry, plum, licorice and subtle roasted aromas. The finish is persistent, soft and spicy, with harmonious fruit and finely integrated oak.

• Wine color: ruby red
• Aromas: dark berries, plum, cherry, licorice, delicate minerality
• Palate: dry, round, soft, integrated oak, very smooth tannins
• Maturation: 6 months in new French and American oak
• Origin: Alentejo, Portugal
• Classification: V.R. Alentejano, red wine
• Grape varieties: Aragonez, Trincadeira, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet

1. Ruby red red wine from the Alentejo
2. Round, soft taste with very smooth tannins
3. Delicate oak notes from maturation in new oak
4. Persistent finish with fruit, spice and nuances of licorice

The grapes come from the Alentejo, one of Portugal’s important wine regions. The warm climate and granite-influenced soils provide very good conditions for concentrated, aromatic red wines with ripe fruit and balanced structure. This results in a characterful red wine that clearly reflects its origin and at the same time offers plenty of drinking pleasure.

Production of Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca

The grapes for Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca come from selected vineyards in the Alentejo. The region is characterized by warm days, cooler nights and granite soils. These conditions promote ripe fruit, aromatic intensity and a harmonious structure in the wine.

The name Ripanço refers to a traditional technique that was historically used in the south of Portugal for the manual destemming of grapes. The berries are separated from the stems on a special Ripanço table using wooden sticks. José Maria da Fonseca applies this method to a small portion of the grapes. It helps reduce the influence of hard stem tannins and lends the wine an especially soft, elegant texture.

After gentle processing, vinification takes place with the aim of bringing fruit, spice and structure into harmonious balance. The wine then matures for 6 months in new French and American oak. This maturation gives the red wine additional complexity, fine roasted aromas and a round, soft palate structure.

The cuvée consists of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Aragonez contributes red and dark fruit as well as richness, Trincadeira adds spicy and typically Portuguese accents, Syrah provides depth and dark aromatics, while Alicante Bouschet contributes color, power and structure. Together they create a well-balanced Alentejo red wine with soft tannins and a persistent finish.

Before bottling, the individual lots are carefully blended. This results in a wine that displays fruit, oak, spice and tannin in balance. The style of the house José Maria da Fonseca emphasizes harmony, accessibility and clear origin.

Enjoyment recommendations for Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca

Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca pairs excellently with aromatic meat dishes, spicy foods and matured cheese. Its soft tannin structure and delicate oak spice make it a versatile companion for Mediterranean and hearty cuisine.

• Ideal with grilled or braised red meat
• Very good with lamb with Mediterranean herbs
• Suitable for beef ribs, roasts or steaks
• Well-matched with pasta with a spicy ragout
• Harmonious with robust cheese

This red wine is also an excellent choice for a cozy dinner, a romantic meal or a convivial gathering with friends. In a large red wine glass, the bouquet can unfold particularly well. A short time to breathe in the glass brings out the fruit, licorice notes and delicate oak spice even more clearly.

The optimal serving temperature is around 16 °C. When stored properly in a cool, dark place, the wine has an aging potential of around 5 years. During this time, fruit, oak and spice can further come together and lend the wine additional complexity.

1. Serving temperature: about 16 °C
2. Recommendation: serve in a large red wine glass
3. Food pairing: red meat and cheese
4. Aging potential: around 5 years

With its ruby red color, soft texture, very smooth tannins and persistent finish, Ripanço Alentejo VR - José Maria da Fonseca sets a harmonious accent for enjoyable red wine moments.

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