Ferreira

Ferreira

The Port Wine House "AA Ferreira," based in Postage (Suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia) in the Portuguese area of Douro was founded in 1751. Led by the legendary Dona Antonia Adelaide Ferreira (1811-1896) it became one of the largest and most important producers of port . First, she married her cousin, AB Ferreira, one of the richest men in Portugal . After his death she married Francisco Torres, the manager of the Ferreira-possessions. After his death she took over the leadership of the House very successfully into their own hands. In their time is also the purchase of the Lodge (warehouse) in 1876. The company was owned by the family until 1987 and has been awarded to Sogrape sold. The port wines come from vineyards of Quinta do Seixo goods and Quinta do Porto. The relatively precocious vintage port is characterized by an often easier to style. The best products are the superior tawny ports, Dona Antonia, and the 20 years in oak barrels matured Duque de Bragança.

In the 1950s, the legendary Douro red wine Barca Velha was created, which is now one of the best and most expensive wines of Portugal. The name refers to sailing boats that used to put the young port to the warehouses. It is blended mainly from Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Franca and with shares of other indigenous species. The grapes came up in 1999 by the Quinta do Vale Meão (which was then sold) and then from the Quinta da Leda. Traditionally, this is Pounding the grapes and the fermentation in Lagar (stone troughs). He is aged 18 months in new French (formerly Portuguese) oak barrels. As a Vintage Port it is produced only in very exceptional years. That was 1965, 1966, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1991 (considered to be particularly outstanding) and 1995 of the case. In less good years, it is marketed as a second wine under "Ferreirinha Reserva Especial". A third cheaper red wine is called "Vinha Grande".