Portuguese wines with DO (Designation of Origin) and IG (Geographical Indication) status feature certain ‘quality designations’ that serve as a guide for many consumers.
Selection, Reserve and Grand Reserve are highlighted on the label and suggest that we are dealing with a product of a significantly higher standard. But, legally speaking, what do these designations actually mean? Well, in the case of a Grand Reserve, the official description is ‘a designation reserved for wine associated with the harvest year that has very distinctive organoleptic characteristics and an actual alcoholic strength by volume at least 1% higher than the minimum legal limit.’
That being the case, and because this description is somewhat ‘vague’, some argue that the use of these designations is purely a marketing strategy, as these designations can still vary slightly from region to region.
Opinions aside, today we are going to focus our attention on the Grand Reserve wines that come to us from the Douro, highlighting the difference in profile of these wines from producer to producer, as well as the final price at which they reach the consumer (special note for Adega de Vila Real, a Grand Reserve for only 7.13 euros + VAT).
Take a look at our selection today and get to know these wines that have scored well with tasters, hence their designation of ‘outstanding quality’.
