Vineyard and winemaking
Grainha Tinto draws on Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão from the steep schist vineyards of the Douro. Quinta Nova’s estate is divided into 41 parcels, with an average vine age of around 45 years; the demanding slopes and poor soils naturally give low yields and concentrated fruit.
The 2019 grapes were fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel before the wine matured for 15 months in French oak. This patient élevage adds spice and polish to the blend while retaining the firm structure, freshness and mineral character of its Cima Corgo origins.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep ruby-garnet with a concentrated core.
Nose
Black cherry, raspberry and plum are layered with black tea, liquorice, wild herbs and warm cedar.
Palate
Generous and finely structured, with ripe dark fruit, silky tannins and a stony, savoury centre. Notes of tea leaf and spice build towards a long, focused finish. Stand the bottle upright before serving and open carefully; individual bottles may show differing degrees of development.
Food pairing
Pair with slow-roasted lamb shoulder, beef short ribs, venison cottage pie or baked aubergine with spiced lentils. Its dark fruit and savoury grip also suit aged Manchego.
Background story
Grainha means the grape seed: the part of the plant that carries the promise of future life and contains compounds central to a wine’s structure and aroma. Quinta Nova uses the name for its gastronomic red and white Reserva wines, both matured in wood and made with precision.
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo has more than two centuries of history and was recorded at the time of the Douro’s first demarcation in 1756. The Amorim family acquired the 120-hectare estate in 1999 and has continued its focus on parcel-led wines from this dramatic riverside landscape.
