2012 Petit Verdot, Monte do Além, Algarve, Portugal, Vinho Regional Algarve

Monte do Além is located in the western Algarve region of Portugal. The main characteristic of this region and its interest as a wine grape area, is the continuous availability of sunshine during the spring and summer months, tempered by moderate night temperatures from the Atlantic Ocean located nearby.
It is in the heart of this region that Vinciane and Parviz recognized the potential for growing grapes and producing quality wines. In 2000 their dream took root and they planted 6 Hectares of vines. They were convinced that the key to making quality wines was to first of all grow quality grapes and nurse them through their life under strict Biological – Organic conditions. During the long growing season, the vines are watched over on a daily basis for optimal growth and fruit conditions.
For the total respect of the soil and the consumer, no pesticides, weed killers, nor synthetic chemical agents are ever used at Monte do Além.
Vinciane and Parviz’ credo is producing healthy grapes from healthy vines to achieve authentic specific wines each with its own character and personality. Their emblem is the Ouroboros to be found on the labels and on the calçada floor of their winery. This emblem serves as a reminder that there is no one truth for the winemaker’s craft, but only a never ending quest for perfection based on the accumulation of knowledge garnered over the centuries man has been making wine.
A grape variety which comes to them from the Bordeaux region.
More specifically in the region where the Medoc Grands Crus are produced. This wine is rare and highly sought after since it is a late maturing variety which is not always harvested due to late summer weather related problems. It is therefore particularly well suited for the Algarve and its’ long hot summers. It is the last grape variety to be harvested in the year and usually this is completed by the middle of September in the Algarve.
In the early part of its life, this wine is slightly bitter, and has a hard taste due to a high amount of tannins which diminish as it ages. This is therefore a wine to keep for aging as over time the tannins soften, provide a pleasant aroma, a rich colour and lasts long in the mouth. During the aging process, the Petit Verdot maintains its’ rich fruit flavours. The older it gets, the better it gets. At Monte do Alem they make this wine on its own and it has become a must as a single blend.