For years—and in fact, it still is—Portugal has been not only an excellent wine producer but also the largest producer of cork. One of the most important producers is the Amorim Group. They were long a leader in the cork industry, but with the dawn of the new century, they began to feel a bit uneasy. Gradually, the company became a conglomerate, focusing increasingly on winemaking. Twenty years ago, they acquired Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Since 2018, they have managed Taboadella, located in Dao, south of Porto. International varieties were harvested and native varieties were planted, thus paying tribute to Portuguese viticulture.
Taboadella Winery offers a variety of wines, each highlighting indigenous grape varieties. Despite their relative obscurity, they are truly exceptional in terms of quality and flavor. For the white wine Taboadella 1255 Villae, they selected three indigenous grape varieties, unfamiliar to the average wine drinker, but well worth experiencing. Taboadella 1255 Villae is a balanced blend of Encruzado, Bical, and Cerceal-Branco. Unknown, yet together they create a truly magnificent wine. Think sweet, ripe melon, invigorating citrus, and the characteristic aromas of quince. Thanks to the abundant Bical grape, Taboadella 1255 Villae also has a refined floral character.
