DUORUM OENOLOGISTS REGIONS ALTITUdES

Duorum
two
Oenologists
a project from
two
Regions
wines from
two
altitudes
grapes from
two
winemakers
Duorum is the latest triumph from Portugal’s most celebrated
oenologists, José Maria Soares Franco and João Portugal Ramos. A
perfect blend of talent, terroir, tradition, and modernity. Duorum is poised
to become a global force on the international stage.
With over three generations of history between their families, both
graduated from the Higher Institute of Agronomy in 1977, and received
work placements at the National Winegrowing Station at Dois Portos from
1977 to 1978. In the thirty years that followed, João and José Maria have
left an indelible mark on the industry, both domestically and internationally.
JOSÉ MARIA SOARES FRANCO
Even before he was old enough to drink José Maria
recalls thinking about “the magic and the mystery that
he guessed might exist in a bottle of wine.” Today he is
A perfect blend of talent,
TONS D E D UORUM W HITE
At the winery the grapes are de-stemmed and gently crushed,
followed by pre-fermentative maceration at low temperature during
12-24 hours. The grapes are then pressed and fermentation takes
place at controlled temperature of 52-60.8 degrees.
Varietal Composition: 30%
Viosinho, 25% Rabigato,
20% Verdelho, 20% Arinto,
5% Moscatel Galego Branco
Soil Composition: Schist
Average Vine Age: 20 years
Acidity (grams/liter): 5.5
Alcohol: 13%
Aroma: Tropical and citrus
fruits, with mineral notes
Palate: Structured with
integrated acidity
Pairing: Crisp vegetable
salads, shrimp cocktail,
grilled asparagus and
Portobello mushrooms
known as a wine architect in the Douro.
Born in Lisbon, though his family came from roots
in the Alentejo, a love of the land and of nature led
him to obtain a degree in Agronomy (1972/1977). This
led him to his post at the National Winemaking
Station at Dois Portos working with Joao Portugal Ramos. José then had a short
work period at the Instituto dos Vinhos da Madeira and in 1979 went on to work
under the guise of Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, the famed creator of the first
Barca Velha in 1952 and emblematic character of A.A. Ferreira. Once Nicolau de
Almeida retired, José Maria Soares Franco assumed responsibility for Oenology
Management, where he remained for 28 years, and was in charge of some of the
most respected brands from Porto and the Douro even today. In the 1980s he was
instrumental in evolving and restructuring the regions oenological practices which
remain fundamental to the regions winemaking today.
JOÃO PORTUGAL RAMOS
Born of a long line of producers, João Portugal
Ramos obtained a degree in Agronomy from the
Higher Institute of Agronomy. He gained experience
at the Centre for Study of the National Winemaking
Station at Dois Portos, then as an oenologist in the
Alentejo in 1980.Using his accumulated experience,
at the end of the 80s João started Consulvinus which
widened his scope of work to include Ribatejo, Dão, Beiras, Estremadura and the
Douro. Taking an active part in the development of landmark Portuguese wines and
revitalizing regions that had faded. These wines received national and international
recognition recognizing João Portugal Ramos as one of the key figures in the
development of Portuguese wines. In 1990, João Portugal Ramos planted his first
five hectars of vineyard at his own winery in Estremoz, the first crop was in 1992 and
the first vintage made at the winery was 1997.
TONS D E D UORUM
This is a true expression of the Douro region’s fantastic terroir.
The inspiration for this wine was from the bright colors that result
from the reflection of the sun on the Douro River (tons means color
nuance), creating different tones in the vineyard. The wine is a result
of the unique interaction between nature and human effort.
Varietal Composition: 50%
Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga
Nacional and 20% Tinta Roriz
Soil Composition: Schist
Average Vine Age: 4-31 years
Aging: Six months in French
and American oak barriques
and barrels
Acidity (grams/liter): 5.5
Alcohol: 13.5%
Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry,
blackberry & prune
Palate: Well-balanced acidity,
soft and ripe tannins with a
persistent finish
Food Pairing: Red meats,
barbecue dishes, pastas
and cheese
Duorum, meaning “from two” in Latin, refers to the two renowned winemakers,
the sourcing and blending of fruit from two separate and distinct areas of the
Douro, and using fruit from vines of two different altitudes and ages. Spanning the
Cima Corgo and the Upper Douro, two of the most prestigious sub-regions within
the Douro, the sourcing of grapes from both old and new vines, give the wines a
distinct character unlike any other. Boasting wines of exceptional quality, value and
style, this joint venture is undeniably the newest gem to emerge from Portugal.
C OLHEITA
R ED
R ESERVA OLD V INES
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga
Franca and Tinta Roriz coming from
two different parcels of land, in two
different sub-regions and at two
different altitudes. The grapes are
carefully selected and then
fermented in stainless steel tanks.
A field blend consisting mainly of
Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca,
with small quantities of Tinta Roriz and
Sousão blended. These grapes are
sourced from two different sub-regions,
the Cima Corgo and High Douro, two
exceptional terroirs with different
elevations and characteristics.
Varietal Composition: 40% Touriga
Nacional, 40% Touriga Franca, and
20% Tinta Roriz
Soil Composition: Schist
Average Vine Age: 4-31 years
Aging: Six months in French and
American oak barrels
Acidity (grams/liter): 6.5
Alcohol: 13.5%
Aroma: Black cherry, tar, mocha and
a hint of violets
Palate: Full-bodied, with well-balanced
acidity, fine-grained tannins
Pairing: Steak, pot roasts and hearty
casseroles
Varietal Composition: 45% Touriga
Nacional, 45% Touriga Franca,
5% Tinta Roriz and 5% Sousão
Soil Composition: Schist
Average Vine Age: 4-31 years
Aging: 12-18 months in French oak
barrels
Acidity (grams/liter): 6.3
Alcohol: 13.5%
Aroma: Blackberries, currants, and
cassis as well as floral notes of violet
Palate: Full-bodied, with well-balanced
acidity and firm, well-integrated tannins
Pairing: Hearty stews, red meats,
flavorful, spicy sauces and grilled game
wines
two
regions
terroir, tradition, and modernity
Alentejo
The undulating Alentejo plains south
and east of Lisbon, cover a third of
mainland Portugal and most of the
country south of the river Tagus. In
complete contrast to the north, this is a
sparsely populated region that boasts
55% of the worlds cork production. Over
the last 20 years, the Alentejo region has
emerged as an important winemaking
area,
and,
more
recently,
many
modernized cooperatives and single
estates have garnered international
attention. Consequently, the immense
winemaking potential of the region has
led to an increased demand. The
production of red wine, principally from
Aragones, Trincadeira, Moreto, and
Castelao Frances grapes, exceeds white,
although some growers are realizing the
potential of white varieties such as Anato
Vaz, Roupeiro, Perrum and Arinto.
Douro
While best known as the source of the
famous fortified wine, Port, the Douro
DOC, is increasingly becoming wellknown for the production of unfortified
table wine. The Douro Valley was
demarcated in 1756, making it one of the
oldest delimited wine regions in the
world. Douro wines (Vinho do Douro),
produced in the same region as Port
wines, were originally bitter. The relationship between Portugal
and England led the English to enhance this wine with a kind of
Portuguese brandy known as aguardente to sustain a voyage from
Portugal to England. With the huge investment in both skills and
equipment necessary to make table wine in such an extreme
climate, Douro is now an area which has established itself as one
of Portugal’s finest and most revered wine producing regions.
More than 90 different grapes are permitted including popular
varieties such as the red varietals of Touriga Franca, Touriga
Nacional, and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo). Rabigato, Gouveio, and
Viosinho are some of the white grape varieties used in the region.
What is Schist?
Laminated, crystalline rock based soil that retains heat
well and is rich in magnesium and potassium but is
poor in organic nutrients and nitrogens. Derived mostly
from clay, but it can be made from several other rocks.
Schist is a soft rock that flakes and breaks easily.
the Press
Wine Advocate, December 2009
“Duorum is the new and eagerly anticipated Douro venture from Joao
Portugal Ramos, the famed Southern Portuguese winemaker, and Jose Maria
Soares Franco, the distinguished, former winemaker for Barca Velha. As the
two tell the story, they met in Sintra in the summer of 2006, came up with the
idea of a Douro project, and within 6 months, Duorum Vinhos was created.
The initial releases show lots of promise and are quite well priced. …”
Tons de Duorum White
88 Pts Wine Enthusiast 08/2013 (Vintage 2012)
“From high-elevation vineyards above the Douro Valley, this cool,
crisp wine is lightly textured, bright and perfumed.”
88 Pts Wine Enthusiast 11/2012 TOP 100 Best Buys (Vintage 2011)
88 Pts Wine Enthusiast 11/01/2011 (Vintage 2010)
86 Pts Wine Spectator 10/31/2011 (Vintage 2010)
Tons de Duorum
87 Pts Wine Enthusiast 06/2013 (Vintage 2011)
“Firm in the Douro's tannic style but also ripe with fruit, this is a
youthful wine that shows brightness and richness while offering
elegance and a sense of poise.”
87 Pts Wine Spectator 06/30/2012 (Vintage 2010)
“Well-spiced, presenting an interesting mix of dried plum and tar
flavors that are dense, with hints of richness. White pepper and
chocolate notes mark the finish.”
87 Pts Wine Enthusiast 11/01/2011 (Vintage 2010)
90 Pts Wine Spectator 04/01/2011 (Vintage 2009)
COLHEITA Red
92 Pts Wine Enthusiast (Editor’s Choice) 08/2013 (Vintage 2011)
old & new vines
Duorum uses only traditional varietals of its native land, Touriga Nacional,
“This is a firm, terroir-driven wine that has a dense core of firm
tannins as well as serious black fruit.”
87 Pts Wine Advocate, 04/2013 (Vintage 2011)
91 Pts Wine Enthusiast, Editor’s Choice, 10/2012 (Vintage 2010)
Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Sousão and Tinta Francisca of which all are chosen
for the particular qualities they lend to the wines. All of the grapes are hand-
RESERVA OLD VINES
picked and carried from the vineyards in small cases. De-stemming takes place
93 Pts Wine Enthusiast, Cellar Selection, 10/2012 (Vintage 2009)
on all fruit except that intended for the Port, the stems facilitate prolonged
“This is powerfully impressive, with its firm structure giving great
depth to the rich black-cherry and plum fruits. Dense and tannic,
it needs to age for at least four years.”
maturation. Initial fermentation takes place in stainless steel lagars at low
temperatures. Duorum produces well priced, well structured wines that reflect
the characteristics of the Douro.
92 Pts Wine Spectator, 05/2012 (Vintage 2009)
Touriga Nacional is a small black grape that produces full-bodied
“… cedary aroma, with flavors to match, … raspberry cream, dark
plum, currant and kirsch. Medium grained tannins linger on the
finish, with snappy flavors of red licorice and paprika.”
wine and contributes sturdy tannins.
92/94 Pts Wine Advocate 12/2011 (Vintage 2009)
Touriga Franca is one of the main varieties in Port production as
aromatics, firm but smooth tannins, elegance, and concentration.
“The 2009 Reserva “Old Vines” was tasted as a cask sample in
Portugal. It should turn out to be this young winery’s best wine
yet. Beautifully structured, with utterly delicious fruit, it has the sex
appeal of the 2009s, fine depth and a real backbone. It should
come together beautifully.”
Tinta Roriz is used in Port wine and is also used as a staple in red
93 Pts Wine Enthusiast, 11/01/2011 (Vintage 2008)
well as a popular varietal for red wine production and is associated
with some of the best wines of the Douro. This variety contributes
wine production both in Spain where it is known as Tempranillo, and
in Portugal. This varietal contributes good structure, alcohol content
and balanced acidity.
Sousão contributes a ruby color and excellent acidity while Tinta
“Incredibly young, this is going to be an impressive, serious wine.
It has all the elements—dark fruit and acidity tied together with
intense tannins.…”
92 Pts Wine Advocate 01/12/2011 (Vintage 2008)
Francisca adds a propensity for prolonged aging.
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