Ramos Pinto a
passion for Port
By Alfredo de la Casa
Founded by Adriano Ramos Pinto in 1880, Casa Ramos Pinto
rapidly became associated with quality bottled wines, and began operating on
the Brazilian market in the early 20th century and quickly became responsible
for half of the wine exported to South America. The Ramos Pinto wines have
therefore become a reference of quality worldwide.
The taste for culture instilled by Adriano Ramos Pinto in the working
philosophy of Casa Ramos Pinto, is still alive today. In 1997, Casa Ramos Pinto
created the Ervamoira On-Site Museum, aimed at environmental, oenological,
archaeological and anthropological research of the Vale do Côa.
The Quinta do Bom Retiro, one of their main esates, exists in a unique setting
in the world, the Douro. Extended in the 18th century by LuÃs Beleza de
Andrade, and bought in 1919 by Casa Ramos Pinto, this Quinta is one of the
oldest and most typical in the region, still conserving the uniqueness of its
original architecture, as well as the beauty and wealth of its landscape.
Ramos Pinto Port Wines are prepared in the vinification centre of Quinta do Bom
Retiro. In the case of LBV and Vintage, the grapes are trodden in the
traditional lagar as this age-old technique allows for the juice of the fruit
to be extracted more efficiently and less violently. After having concluded the
first steps of vinification, the wines are transported to the historical wine
cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia, where they undergo a long ageing process.
Surrounded by traditional vines, the Quinta do Bom Retiro lies in the heart of
a sumptuous garden built many decades ago, with a swimming pool which is one of
the oldest in the Douro and fruit and exotic trees brought from different
corners of the world.
Aware that the quality of its wines were confined to the earth of the wine
producing Douro, Casa Ramos Pinto meticulously studied this Demarcated Region,
and eventually became the owners of a number of estates with very special
characteristics. The objective was to ensure the control and quality of the
whole production process. By perfecting its wines, Ramos Pinto created unique
nectars with its own signature.
Those of you willing to try a selection of these fantastic
wines, should pass by the Wine Warehouse who recently brought the Director of
Ramos Pinto who presented them in Annam Gourmet in HCMC. A great opportunity to
enjoy a bit of history and the delicious flavours.
