DFJ Vinhos: Creating wines that people enjoy

The climate in the Lisboa (Lisbon) wine region is temperate, soft, with rain and humidity during the appropriate season. However the many valleys and hills in this region give rise to the most diverse microclimates. The quality and characteristics of the soil also vary leading to different terroirs. Finally, the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean moderates the climate so that there is little variation in temperature, with moderate Winters and Summers, and the nocturnal dew leads to regular maturation. The winery recently won best wine from Portugal award at the 2020 USA Wine Ratings.

THE WINEMAKER JOSÉ NEIVA CORREIA

Born and raised on a wine and vineyard estate that many historians deem one of the longest established in the council of Alenquer and whose origins stretch back prior to the founding of the nation of Portugal - the Quinta de Porto Franco. It is from the excellence of this estate that José Neiva Correia, born in 1949 and one of the most productive winemakers in the country, sources much of the raw material put into producing the very best DFJ Vinhos wines. This was the company he launched over a decade ago and that has now reached an average annual production level of six million bottles, across 40 brands and 110 different wines deriving from all mainland Portuguese regions, from the Douro down to the Algarve, except the Vinhos Verdes region.

Descending from generations dedicated to the art of viniculture, both on his father's and his mother's sides, José Neiva Correia followed in his family's traditions not only out of preference but also with thorough professionalism. Those who know and work with him make regular mention of his creativity and the enthusiasm that goes into each of his many and sharply differing wines with their blend of improbable grape varieties and surprising results. Whether top of the range, high priced and produced in restricted quantities or in mass volumes designed to meet the needs of the major international markets, the demand for quality in the final product never wavers whatever the circumstances. His knowledge is extensive and underpins everything he does.

As a winemaker, he has played a pioneering role both in the introduction of new varieties in Portugal and in promoting healthy agricultural practices.

Furthermore, he has contributed towards solutions found for the major problems facing the wine sector such as the appropriate sealing of wine bottle corks. Rigorous and keen on investigation, he has developed and patented a method for disinfecting the corks using ozone that has since been sold onto Grupo Amorim. This has helped in reducing the level of undesirable TCA (the Trichloroanisol compound causing the "musty smell"), a great threat to wine making.

CONSENSUS Pinot Noir & Touriga Nacional Red 2016

Scored 93 points and a gold medal at the 2020 USA Wine Ratings, best by country (portugal).

Since 2006, the first grapes to be harvested are Pinot Noir from the CASAL DA MADEIRA single estate in Torres Vedras district, on windy hills facing the Atlantic. Pinot Noir is a very delicate, fragrant wine with a great richness of flavor. After several blends JOSÉ NEIVA realized that Touriga Nacional, a Portuguese varietal was perfectly combined to offer a unique, richer and more vibrant wine. Aged with 18 months of new French oak barrels that brought flavors and aromas of spices.

CONSENSUS it's very tasty, smooth and elegant, with an intense and persistent finish. Perfect with a rack of lamb or cheese from S. Jorge Azores Island, at a temperature of 16 to 18ºC. This harvest has already won 7 gold medals and at UWR 2020 won the BEST IN SHOW BY

CONSENSUS Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional red 2016 - V. R. Lisboa also won the best wine from portugal. Here are some of the wines that Los Angeles Drinks Guide recommends you to buy.

Gold Medals at 2020 USA Wine Ratings

CONSENSUS Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional red 2016 - V. R. Lisboa – 93pts

GRAND’ARTE Special Selection red 2014 - V. R. Lisboa – 92pt

FRANCOS Grande Escolha red 2015 - V. R. Lisboa – 92pt

ALWAYS ON FRIDAY red Pinot Noir 2018 - V. R. Lisboa – 91pt

POMAR red 2018 - V. R. Lisboa – 90pt

ESCADA Reserva Touriga Nacional red 2016 - V. R. Lisboa – 90pt

POINT WEST Touriga Nacional red 2017 - V. R. Lisboa – 90pt

POINT WEST Cabernet Sauvignon red 2017 - V. R. Lisboa – 90pt

Silver Medals at 2020 USA Wine Ratings

BIGODE red 2018 - V. R. Lisboa – 89pt

ALTA DO CORTE red 2018 - V. R. Lisboa – 89pt