Medieval de Ourem, Quinta do Montalto, Lisboa, Portugal

Medieval de Ourem is a unique—formerly illegal—organic rosé wine from Portugal. Made with white Fernão Pires and blue Trincadeiro. Deep, fresh, delicate red berry fruit, a touch of tannin, orange bitters, truly complex. Totally unique and delicious.

• Serving: 12 C (not too cold)
• Drink: Now until 2027+

Medieval de Ourem, illegal wine

This unique rosé wine has been around for 800 years. It's produced in and around the city of Ourem, north of Lisbon. The recipe originates in the Middle Ages, from Cistercian monks. They made rosé by blending red and white wine. But that's actually only allowed with Champagne.

The grapes (white Fernão Pires and blue Trincadeira ) were harvested simultaneously. First, the white and blue grapes fermented separately. The white grapes are immediately pressed, after which fermentation begins in wooden barrels. The Trincadeira is destemmed and placed, skin and all, in separate barrels. This process is used to extract color and tannins from the grapes (maceration).

After about 10 days of maceration, the two musts continue to ferment together. The ratio is 80% white and 20% red. This gives the wine the color of a dark rosé. But the wine doesn't taste like rosé at all!

Montalto is centrally located in the Ourem region, near Fátima, north of Lisbon. The vineyards are organically farmed and, just like in the Middle Ages, densely planted with approximately 7,000 vines per hectare. There are 15.5 hectares of vineyards with clay and limestone soil, directly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean.

The traditional grape varieties are Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Fernão Pires. There is also red Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Syrah, Baga, Alicante Bouchet, Castelão, Moreto, and white Sauvignon, Arinto, Rabo de Ovelha and Olho de Lebre.

Quinta de Montalto produces very affordable quality wines. Pure and expressive, beautiful organic wines full of Portuguese temperament.