Ermo - Red Blend

Red wine.

Bright, Spicy, Structured.

Ermo is a new project that has come about since 2020. It starts, however, with the Roque do Vale family who have long been producers of classic wines in the Alentejo region.

They work two separate properties growing a large selection of different grape varieties. The two stunning properties sit on either side of the Guadiana river, with one sitting in the subregion of Moura and the other in Vidiguera.

The property on the Moura side, Herdade da Capela, sits on the flat lands that slope gently beside the river. Here the limestone soils make it perfect for the production of white grapes which take on a good bit of chalky crunch.

Then to the northwest on the other side of the river in the Vidiguera subregion sits the Quinta de Dona Maria. Here the land is a little more elevated and hilly and the soils are rich with schist. The nutrient-poor soils with their low water retention, high heat and breezy nights make it perfect for red grapes.

The family has long produced a selection of wines under the name Herdade de Capela but since 2020 Mariana Roque do Vale has been developing this project Ermo with the help of Joana Pinhão as winemaker.

They work closely with the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program(WASP) to produce their grapes in a way that is as harmonious with nature as possible and they use a delicate hand to tease the elegant and subtle nuances out of each variety; much different to the norms of classic Alentejo.

To make this wine they took a selection of the best quality grapes grown at the Quinta de Dona Maria. The varieties Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira with a touch of Cab Sav were fermented separately in steel with the temperature nice and low to keep things fresh. The separate wines were then aged for 18 months in used oak before blending for the perfect balance.

Delicious modern Alentejo!