2018 Azores Wine Company Isabella A Proibida

Wine from the Portuguese Azores means an Atlantic Ocean injection. In the Azores, a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,400 kilometers west of Lisbon, wine has been made since the sixteenth century. But so little that you almost never see the wines from the Azores on the European mainland. They make around 20,000 liters per year, which is about the annual harvest in the Azores. It's all white and a lot of it is fortified with alcohol. The wine is made from typical Portuguese grapes, such as Verdelho and Arinto. What is also unknown, but certainly not unloved by the wine connoisseur, is quality because the Azores have a great climate for wine. The sea breeze ensures healthy grape vines that do not require chemical intervention. Moisture, sun and a big difference in temperature make the wines of the Azores incredibly beautiful. Without a doubt the most famous and renowned winery of the Azores is Azores Wine Company. They have perhaps one of the most unique terroirs in the world, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and at the foot of the volcanic mountain Pico.

There is a special story behind the Isabella A Proibida from Azores Wine Company. The Isabella grape used for this purpose has been banned by the European Union. That is why the name Isabella is also crossed out in red on the label. Before the grape aphid struck at the end of the 19th century, the Azores were one of the most productive growing areas in Europe with a production of several million liters. After the grape aphid struck, production was reduced to less than 25,000 liters. As an emergency solution, the Isabella grape variety was planted, which is resistant to phylloxera. Azores Wine Company has rescued an old plot of this unique variety to show that this grape is capable of making spectacular wine.

The grapes are harvested manually and transported in baskets of a maximum of 40KG after which the selection takes place. The fermentation and maturation takes place in stainless steel tanks from 600 to 1000L. This entire process produces a beautiful light ruby red wine that shows explosive aromas of cherry and cranberry on the nose with a salty undertone. Juicy red fruit in the mouth with a pronounced salt content. Very tasty in combination with light red meat dishes or well seasoned poultry.