Quinta de Cidro Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 2–7 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
creamy mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, grilled salmon
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Quinta de Cidro, located in the high-altitude zone of São João da Pesqueira within the Douro region, has a rich history dating back to its foundation by the Marquis of Soveral. Acquired by Real Companhia Velha in 1972, this estate became a pioneering ground for international grape varieties in Portugal. Situated at elevations reaching up to 600 meters, the vineyards benefit from cool mountain breezes and significant diurnal temperature shifts, allowing Chardonnay to thrive while retaining its essential acidity. The Quinta de Cidro Chardonnay is crafted using traditional Burgundian methods, including fermentation and aging in French oak barrels with regular lees stirring (bâtonnage). This process imparts a complex structure, blending the rich, buttery texture of oak-aged Chardonnay with the mineral-driven freshness characteristic of the Douro's schist soils.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1756 by Royal Charter of King José I under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal, Real Companhia Velha is Portugal's oldest wine company, representing over two and a half centuries of uninterrupted Port and Douro wine production. Based in Vila Nova de Gaia with extensive vineyard holdings across the Douro Valley—including prestigious estates like Quinta das Carvalhas and Quinta de Cidro—the company combines deep-seated tradition with modern winemaking techniques. They are globally renowned for their exceptional Port wines, ranging from complex Aged Tawnies to structured Vintages, alongside a highly acclaimed portfolio of still Douro reds and whites that showcase the region's diverse terroir. Official website: https://realcompanhiavelha.pt. Address: Rua Azevedo Magalhães 314, 4430-022 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.