CURVA DOURO WINES FROM SOGEVINUS

Francisco Gonçalves is the winemaker-enologist for Sogevinus’ Curva brand, specializing in still wines and separate from the port wine enologists.  He has overall supervision of both Quinta São Luiz in the Douro Encima region and Quinta Arnozelo in the Alta Douro where the grapes for the Curva wines are grown on the higher 750 to 1500-foot terraces producing grapes with a good balance of acidity for still wines.

Curva 2007 Douro Branco – This crowd-pleasing Douro white opens with a floral aroma leading to lemon-honeydew melon flavors, mineral tones, and crisp, clean finish. Made from 60% Malvasia Fina for flavor and aroma and 40% Gouveio for structure and body.

Curva 2007 Douro Branco Reserva – Intensely aromatic with concentrated exotic fruit flavors from 82% Fernão Pires at 1350-foot elevation of Quinta Arnozelo and 18% Viosinho adding complexity and structure to this Grand Vintage that has set a new standard for white Douro wines among the predominantly red wines from the Douro. Smooth and balanced at 14% alcohol, it is fermented for 12 days in French Oak with six months ageing in oak. Only 10,000 bottles were produced.

Curva 2006 Douro Tinto – Good deep ruby color with fragrant berry aromas open to pronounced flavors of spicy blackberry, plum and black cherry.  Solid structure and balance with a medium finish. Made from 25% each of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca and Roriz.

Curva 2006 Douro Reserva – Dense purple-red color with aroma of dark, ripe berries leads to a mouth-filling, rich wine of perfect balance, smoothness and soft tannins – very supple with a long spicy finish from Touriga Nacional and Touriga Francesa aged 12 months in French and American oak.