Cazas Novas, Vinho Verde

Cazas Novas is run by Carlos Coutinho.  Recently he has bolstered his team with the addition of Diogo Fonseca Lopes as winemaking consultant, and Vasco Magalhaes who will head up the commercial department.

Located at Santa Marinha do Zezere, in the Baiao sub district of the Vinho Verde, these vineyards are the 'last outpost' before entering the red wine producing region of the Douro's Baixo Corgo.  Inland, and warmer than most of the rest of the Vinho Verde, the style of wine is much broader, riper and  mouthfilling, while still maintaining that Vinho Verde character of minerality combined with fresh acidity.  Alcohol is 11.5%

This is not Alvarinho territory, but Avesso, beautifully floral and aromatic, together with the fresh, fruity Loureiro & steely Arinto.  Together they make a less austere, more commercially attractive style of wine, yet one that maintains good structure and poise. The 2011 wine is now ready, and is showing lively ripe lime characters - we have high hopes!

Picture - the Douro valley shrouded in winter mist

Cazas Novas 2011, Vinho Verde
70% Avesso, 30% Loureiro & Arinto 

Close by, Carlos's father runs the excellent Quinta de Guimaraes, a tourism destination hotel / country house par excellence, and a great base for discovering this beautiful region of Portugal

The Casa de Guimarães is a manor house built in 1720 with all characteristics of the Portuguese baroque style. It forms part of a 40 hectare estate, including 6 hectares of forest and 25 of vineyards.  The accommodation is in the main house rooms or in an apartment."

Cazas Novas is the name of a twin manor house, 3 kms away from Casa de Guimarães, which is the main house of the Cunha Coutinho family.