Quinta de Cidro Pinot Noir
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, creamy mushroom risotto, seared tuna steak
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Quinta de Cidro, located in the high-altitude plateau of São João da Pesqueira within the Douro region, serves as Real Companhia Velha's open-air laboratory for international grape varieties. Situated at an elevation of nearly 600 meters, the estate benefits from cool breezes and significant diurnal temperature shifts, creating a unique microclimate that defies the typical scorching heat of the Douro Valley. Here, the delicate Pinot Noir grape finds an unexpected home in schist-dominant soils. Real Companhia Velha's pioneering efforts with this Burgundian variety have yielded a wine that beautifully marries the grape's signature elegance with the mineral intensity of the Portuguese terroir. The wine is typically fermented in stainless steel with precise temperature control and aged in French oak barriques to develop complexity while preserving its bright red fruit character.
🍾 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.