Website: https://www.honrado.pt/
In the southern Alentejo wine region of Portugal, a remarkable revival of traditional winemaking practices is taking place: the creation of wines in clay. Historically, many households possessed large clay amphorae, known locally as talhas, using them for natural winemaking processes. They would harvest grapes in September, place them in the talha, and begin tapping the finished wine from early November.
Two decades ago, António Honrado converted a traditional wine cellar into a restaurant named O País das Uvas, located in Vila de Frade, Alentejo. A unique aspect of this establishment is a wall adorned with talhas. The wines are tapped on the feast of Saint Martin, which occurs in early November, allowing the restaurant to serve wine directly from the talhas. The culinary offerings feature classic Alentejo dishes. However, a challenge arises: the typical season for talha wine spans from November to January, as it is meant to be consumed relatively soon, and often runs out quickly.
In response, António and his son Ruben decided in 2016 to broaden their production by bottling the wines. This initiative would enable them to offer talha wine to guests year-round. They established a new company and, in 2017, acquired the Cella Vinaria Antiqua, a cellar previously owned by a bank. They interconnected three adjacent cellars (which had been sealed off) to create a stunning venue filled with talhas. During the renovation, they uncovered the characteristic flooring of an old wine cellar, prompting them to realize this location had historically been involved in wine production. Additionally, they discovered a well, further indicating the site’s vinous heritage.
Although there are no official documents indicating the building’s history prior to the 1800s, experts believe it dates back to the 14th century. The total production capacity here is 20,000 liters.
A brief video showcasing Honrado:
Honrado Vinum Novum Talha Branco 2022 Alentejo, Portugal
Bottled just one week before the tasting event. It presents a vibrant color and a supple, bright profile featuring notes of citrus, honey, ripe pear, and a delicate, spicy backbone. Scored 91 out of 100.
Honrado Vinum Novum Palhete 2022 Alentejo, Portugal
Composed of 95% white grapes and 5% red grapes. Offers a stony and mineral character with subtle hints of cherry and strawberry, displaying impressive weight and structure. This wine has a delightful juicy essence with a refined structure. Scored 91 out of 100.
Honrado Vinum Novum Tinto 2022 Alentejo, Portugal
This wine offers a mineral quality and a textured profile, showcasing bright and vivid red berry fruits along with subtle cherry notes. It has pleasant chalky undertones and presents some structure, embodied with a lovely finesse and youthful energy, all without any harshness. Rated 92/100.
Honrado Talha Branco 2021 Alentejo, Portugal
This white blend, featuring Antão Vaz, Perrum, Arinto, and Diogalves grapes, is savory and bracing with a grainy texture, abundant in mineral notes. It carries a stony nuance to the apple and pear flavors, complemented by hints of honey and delightful spice. In the mouth, it offers a textured experience with flavors of melon and pear, along with subtle oxidative hints and a dash of mint. Truly finesse-driven, rated 93/100.
Honrado Talha Branco Premium 2021 Alentejo, Portugal
Each year, the finest talha is selected for separate bottling. This powerful and spicy white presents rich flavors of pear and peach, intertwined with a touch of citrus. It exhibits salty minerality on the edges, accented by honey and aniseed notes. The texture is remarkable and the overall experience is quite delicious, rated 94/100.
Honrado Talha Tinto 2021 Alentejo, Portugal
This red blend comprises Alfrocheiro, Aragones, Trincadeira, and Alicante Bouschet grapes. It is fresh and supple, offering appealing flavors of cherry and plum. The wine is mellow and refined with a pleasant grainy structure, exhibiting a hint of sour cherry while showcasing a lovely brightness. A delightful fruit-forward experience, rated 94/100.