Monte do Álamo Reserva Red 2021

The Project
Located in the heart of Alentejo, the Monte do Álamo is situated in S. Miguel de Machede, one of the most beautiful plains between Évora and Evoramonte. Only 17 km from the district capital, the estate boasts nearly 1,000 hectares of land dedicated to agricultural activity which has been developed for more than 30 years by the Noronha Mendes de Almeida family.

The Monte do Álamo embraces the viticulture in 2001, from the desire to produce one of the most emblematic products of the region; taking advantage of the area’s planting conditions and the productive vineyards belonging to a family-run business which was willing to reach new heights and dimensions.

Therefore, in 2006 the Etc. Red Wine emerges and 2007 welcomes the Etc. White Wine, embodying the realization of a project undertaken by a family who always believed in the potential and growth of this particular sector in our country.

The region
The wine region of Évora is in the Alto Alentejo and its historical references to both vines and wines date back to the nation’s origins. The oldest known bibliographical references related to the cultivation of vines in the Alentejo essentially report the excellence and types of wine in Évora, and refer to several international awards earned in the last century. The red wines are made from the Periquita, Trincadeira, Aragonez and Tinta Caiada grape varietoies. The main white grape varieties include Arinto, Rabo de Ovelha, Roupeiro and Tamarez.

The vineyard is planted in the Monte do Álamo since 2001, occupying an area of 32 hectares located on a traditional plain of the Alentejo; it features a “drop-by-drop” irrigation system and is enclosed within an integrated protection system.

Production and Vinification
It includes 32 hectares of vineyards inserted in a secure system and programme of integrated protection, of which 27 hectares are composed of red grape vines and 5 hectares of white grape vines, adopting the strategy of planting only national grape varieties which readily adapt to the region’s conditions.

Production: The soil and climatic conditions at the Monte do Álamo are excellent, and therefore our reds are predominated by the grape varieties Aragonês, Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Caiada, manually harvested in September. Regarding to white grape varieties, they are producing Roupeiro, Arinto and Antão Vaz.

After being harvested and collected in special plastic containers, the grapes are promptly brought to the winery where they are subject to a rigorous selection process.

Vinification: The grapes are vinified in stainless steel tanks with slight post-fermentative maceration. Part of the wine lot is stored in barrels crafted from French and American oak for 6 months. It is grossly filtered prior to bottling.

Other Activities
At the Monte do Álamo, one can find merino sheeps, Alentejo’ cattle breed (indigenous breed) which is used in the production of Alentejo meat DOP, and also a small group of indigenous sows.

The Monte do Álamo was once a traditional farm which underwent a revamping phase that began in 1982. Where investment was put into; dams and water storage systems, which were created to increase its irrigation area to nearly 150 hectares geared for the production of grains.

In addition, there’s also a vast area of olive groves, as well as the cultivation of cereals such as: wheat, barley, corn and even sunflowers.