The Tamara Estate
Joao Portugal Ramos has been connected to Portuguese wines for more than 20 years, first as a consultant oenologist of well known wines, and since 1992, as a producer.
Alentejo was the region elected to produce his first wines, such as the Marques de Borba, Vila Santa, various Single Varieties, Quinta da Viçosa and Loios.
Afterwards, Ribatejo came along and the main objective was to highlight the wines from this region and make them better known worldwide.
The facility was renovated in 2004 with new wine making and bottling premises in Almeirim (Ribatejo) using the most sophisticated and modern equipment that now allows Falua to produce 1.5 million bottles of red, white and rosé wines of high quality.
The new striking metallic edifice enhances the modernity of the winery and makes Falua stand out from the other more traditional wineries of the area.
The oenologist for Tamara Red is Antonina Barbosa.
The Tamara Vineyard
The grapes come from Ribatejo, in East Central Portugal, along the Tajus river and are grown in sandy soil.
Ribatejo (called Tejo since 2009) is located in the north of Lisbon, with low hills surrounding the Tagus River. Ribatejo is divided into three sub-regions with different characteristics:
- “Campo”: marshy land alongside the river
- “Bairro”: on the right bank of the Tagus River, slightly higher elevation
- “Charneca”: stretches from the Tagus right bank to the Alentejo region.
Vines are grown in all three regions. Falua vines come mainly from “Charneca” that provides with the most favorable soils.
The three different regions “Charneca”, “Bairro” and “Campo” have specific characteristics in the composition of their soils that vary between alluvial, clay and sandy.
They own 100 hectares of vineyards planted with the following varieties: Arinto, Castelão, Trincadeira, Aragonês, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Fernão Pires and Chardonnay.
The climate is mild Mediterranean, and thanks to the proximity of the river, it is characterized by winters with compacted rainfall and dry warm summers.
The average summer temperature runs between 20 and 35ºC.
The insulation varies between 2700 and 2900 hours per year and the rainfall between 600 and 800 mm.
No products found
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Golden color. Very aromatic. White flowers, fresh fruit, lime, citrus aromas as well as a bergamot. Pleasant mouthfeel, supple, crisp, fruity flavors. There is a touch of acidity, revealing a deliciously integrated minerality.
Machine harvested at full maturity (around Sept. 25th - lasts 12-18 days); pneumatic press; fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 8-10 days; M.L (2 months after the harvest); aging on the lees until May (3 month extra compared to the Petit Chablis); racking; fining if necessary; cold stabilization; filtration right before bottling in July.
Ideal as an aperitif, the wine is an excellent companion to seafood, smoked salmon for example.