Quinta do Pinto

Quinta Do Pinto by MARISA d’VARI. The American Viewpoint.

The top end American market is very keen to discover wines from Portugal as well-crafted as those of Quinta do Pinto. Our gracious hostess, Rita Cardoso Pinto, offered a tour of her excellent estate and a tasting of several wines. Our vineyard visit showed very well-trained and managed vines, with many areas designated for vineyards, but still at the planning stage. Our tasting began with the white wine varietals Fernão Pires and Arinto, both very refreshing and well-balanced white wines, which is a good fit for the American market in terms of offering a food-friendly wine that can pair well with fish. These wines are more competitively priced and consumers will find that they compare favorably to American brands at the $10 - $15 price level.
 

The Touriga Nacional, as a single varietal, was rich, full-bodied, and an excellent example of its type. The American market will find it a high quality wine for the price, and at Quinta do Pinto, it is also blended with Merlot and sometimes Tempranillo (here called Aragonez) which would make it more accessible for many Americans due to familiarity with more recognized varietals.  We also tasted the local grape, Tinto Miúda, which was delicious yet may face challenges as it is unfamiliar to most international markets. Some restaurants in New York might be able to hand sell these wines, but it seems as if their Touriga Nacional, Fernão Pires, and Arinto might be easier and more profitable sells.

Rita Cardoso Pinto is obviously a dynamic and hugely ambitious young woman with long-term plans. ‘I realise that  the future lies with my sons, and as they are currently all under 10, they have plenty of time.’, she says. Some of her plans may even include a boutique hotel so there is plenty to look forward to.