Colares DOC facts for kids
Colares is a special Portuguese wine region. It is located near the town of Sintra in Portugal. This area has the highest official rating for wines in Portugal, called Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC). This means its wines are very high quality and follow strict rules.
The vineyards in Colares are right by the Atlantic Ocean. They are protected from strong ocean winds by natural sandy dunes. This unique location helps the grapes grow well. In the 1940s, there were about 2,500 acres of vineyards here. But over time, as towns grew, most of these vineyards were lost. Today, only about 50 acres remain.
From 1934 to 1994, only a local group of wine producers, called a co-op, was allowed to use the "Colares" name for their wines.
One amazing thing about Colares is its sandy soil. Most grapevines in the world are grown by joining a European grapevine onto an American root. This is called grafting. This is because tiny insects called phylloxera aphids can attack grapevines and destroy them. These aphids cannot live in sand. So, the grapevines in Colares are planted directly in the sand. This means they are some of the only European vines that do not need to be grafted. The Ramisco grapevines here are some of the oldest in Portugal.
Colares is famous for its red wines. These wines have a deep color and a rich, full taste. They also have a special quality called tannin, which can make your mouth feel a bit dry.
Grapes of Colares
The Colares region grows several types of grapes. The main grapes used are Arinto, Galego Dourado, Jampal, Malvasia, and Ramisco.
Red Wines
About 75% of the wine made in Colares is red wine. These red wines are made from the Ramisco grape. They are usually stored and aged for more than ten years before they are sold. This long aging process helps the wine develop its deep flavors and rich qualities.
White Wines
White wines from Colares are made from a local type of Malvasia grape. These white wines are not aged for as long as the red wines. They offer a different taste experience from the region's famous reds.
