Quinta da MURTA : A name
Bucelas, called the prince of Portuguese wine, is the most famous dry white wine of Portugal, where Arinto variety of grapes has
been cultivated and developed by the Romans for more than 2 000 years.
Bucelas still the only one DOC White of Portugal.
Portuguese sailors of the ship S.Gabriel celebrated their return to Portugal after having discovered the sea route to the Indies by
enjoying Bucelas wine.
During Shakespeare time, Bucelas wine became very popular with the British royal court as well throughout England. The wine
called ”charneco”, named after a small village in Bucelas, is mentioned in Sharkespeare’s Henry the VI play, part 2, writen in 1594.
A unique terroir made of limestone and marl, a hillside facing south-east under the influence of
the atlantic ocean, for a very fine fresh wine
Quinta da Murta, tucked away in gentle chalky hills of Bucelas region, is located 25 km North East Lisbon, in the Basin Lusitanica
dating from upper Jurassic, lower Tithonian (Portlandian). The Soil is formed of calcareous marl, crystalline limestone with numerous
presence of fossils trigonia, ostrea and various bivalves such as buchotrigonia freixialensis and the foraminifer anchispirocyclina
lusitanica, All contribute to a very fine mineralite with shell note, roundness and suppleness of the wine. The vineyards are all
planted on high slope, south and south-east exposition, at 250 meters altitude, protected from Atlantic westerlies winds by a ridge
of hills. The area enjoys a very specific micro climate, cool, humid in winter and fresh during the nights, warm and dry during
summer and day time. All contribute to a perfect grape ripening but keeping the freshness of the Atlantic ocean.
Arinto : a unique aromatic cepage
Arinto is a unique cepage whose origin is Bucelas, Portugal. It grows in medium-sized bunches, tightly packed with small grapes. The
characteristics of the taste of Arinto are intense yet discreet, delicate, citrus, apple and tropical with stylish texture and firmness. It
finishes long with rewarding flavors. Characterized by its lively high acidity and freshness, even in hot climate, giving a great vibrant
white and sparkling wine full of character, capable for long guard, but also delicious young. Arinto develops with age a bouquet of
lemon and vanilla softwood.
Grapes become greatest in its natural terroir Bucelas.
A tradition viticulture privileging bio-dynamic
Before the plantation of the vineyard, 25 years ago, the hard limestone soil was occupied by bushes with myrtle berries. Soil has
been scrambled 2 meters deep, cow and horse manure was spread and pass with chisel to bury the fertilizer and regularize the soil
for plantation.
The vineyard is traditionally cultivated in a protected and isolated area, in total biodiversity of flora and fauna, planted with a
relative low density of 4000 plants/ha twice pruned during winter and spring time in bilateral Royat cordon. Lusitania horse manure
is now applied between rows where grasses naturally grow. Each vines plots is cultivated for a dedicated wine, certified
sustainable viticulture by Ministry of Agriculture, an integrated pest management system is strictly observed, privileging always
biodynamic, allowing to harvest high quality and aromatic grape at a low yield of 6t/ha.
Coteaux da Murta – Bucelas Sociedade Unipessoal Lda
Quinta da Murta – Apartado 736, 2671-601 Bucelas – Loures – Portugal
Telefone: 210155190 Fax: 210155193 E-mail: qmurtageral@hotmail.com
www.quintadamurta.pt
A very specific wine making and maturation for revealing fruit, fresh aromas and mineralty
Manual harvest is handled in small case of 25kg in selected plots at the best maturation period for acidity, sugar, and aromas,
followed by a delicate sorting of the grapes avoiding rotten or green ones, then by a gentle destalking and crushing.
Minimum intervention in the winery, very little sulfite adding, special skin maceration, controlled at low temperature, revealing all
aromas and flavor of Arinto, a gentle pressing, then several decantation and a slow fermentation occurs exclusively on indigenous
yeast, followed by a maturation on fine lees with batonnage during 6 month and finally by a cool stabilization and gentle filtration
before bottling and aging.
Wine tastingWi
ne tasting :
Exuberant and fresh nose with notes of lemon, lime, apple and some floral and mineral background evidence. Body well balanced
and silky. Long and persistent finish.
To enjoy at any time either in “primeur” or in “vin de garde” with aromas developing years after years (can keep more than 10 years,
thanks to a perfect acidity).
Ideal with any type of raw or grilled seafood and fish, lean meats, pasta, noddle and exotic spicy cuisine.
Temperature of consumption : 10/12C, wine opens with time.
