Tasting Notes: Bright golden in colour with fruity and floral aromas. The palate is crisp and refreshing with tropical fruit notes, hints of almond and vanilla and a well-balanced acidity.
Region: Douro, Portugal
Varieties: Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato, Códega
ABV: 19.5%
Closure: Cork
Pairing: A great aperitif to enjoy with some olives or cured meats, or add some tonic for a refreshing cocktail.
More Info: The wines are aged in oak vats for around 3 years before blending to produce a full-bodied style of white Port.
The name of Quinta do Noval first appeared in land registries in 1715.
António José da Silva, a port shipper from Porto, acquired Quinta do Noval in 1894, after its devastation by phylloxera and restored the property by replanting the vines.
Luiz Vasconcelos Porto, his son-in-law, transformed many of the narrow older terraces into broader terraces. This allowed a more efficient use of the land and a better exposure to the sun.
Quinta do Noval made its name with the declaration of the 1931 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port. Because of the global depression and the enormous production and shipment of the 1927 Vintage, most shippers did not declare the 1931. This success established Quinta do Noval among the great names of Vintage Port in the English and American markets, a leading position in terms of reputation, which is maintained today.
A new bottling line and warehouse was completed in 1997 in Alijo, near Pinhão. This project made Quinta do Noval the first of the traditional Port shippers to centralise all its activities in the Douro Valley.
In the 90's, around a hundred hectares of the domaine were replanted, adapting pruning methods to suit each parcel, focusing on producing excellent-quality grapes.