We headed east today to the town of Reguengos de Monsarez which is also the name of one of the sub regions of the Alentejo.
Our first stop was at Adega Jose da Sousa – a very historic estate dating back to 1834 but was acquired by the equally historic JM Fonseca in 1986. On the face of it you think big winery, stainless steel tanks and not much to see here. However, there were 114 surprises waiting in the cellar in the form of the biggest collection of Amphora any of us have seen in any winery. Wines made in amphora have a long history in the Alentejo and Adega Sousa were at the forefront.
Ligia, who was hosting the event, explained the very traditional process of fermentation and maceration and extended skin contact which creates a unique style. This was fascinatingly different to any wine cellar that most of us had visited and we were anticipating a somewhat different tasting. First up was the Mayor 2018, a blend of Grand Noir, Trincadeira and Aragonez with 50% amphora wine. This was followed by the Puro Talha 2015 – 100% amphora wine and wonderfully elegant and spicy. The final wine was the Puro Talha 2016 blanco – a blend of Antao Vaz, Manteudo and Diagalves. Smelt rich and sweet, had the colour of an aged Moscatel yet tasted bone dry. An amazing experience.
From Sousa it was just a ten minute drive to Esporão – oner of the most important estates in the Alentejo and with a history dating back to 1267. Covering 1800 hectares (not all planted to vine!) there are lakes, olive groves and oodles of history. However, it was lunchtime so we sat down and enjoyed a truly scrumptious lunch of a variety of salads, croquettes, vegetable gratin followed by utterly stunning roast lamb with baked rice and a rich flan and sorbet to finish.
There was still a fascinating visit to complete and Anabella did a brilliant job of hosting us after lunch – no easy task. We toured the vineyards, winery and barrel cellar before tasting through six wines of increasing quality levels.
A super day and only 35 minutes to get back to our hotel so plenty of time to enjoy Évora in the evening.