Port ProDuCers anD shiPPers 211Ramos Pinto. Situated close to the centre of Régua, this serves as the company’s lodge and
visitor centre, receiving 60,000 people a year. Castelinho produces a full range of Ports as
well as Douro wines. Vintages are declared frequently (e.g. 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002,
2003) and the wines tend to be simple, early maturing but correct. The company has a stock
of rather rustic colheitas dating from 1935 to the present day.
champalimaud
Montez Champalimaud, Lda
Quinta do côfto, cidadelhe, 5040–154 Mesão Frio
tel. (351) 254 899 269
http://www.quintadocotto.pt
Miguel Champalimaud is a controversial figure in the Douro. Since taking responsibility
for his family estate, Quinta do Côtto, in the mid-1970s, he has been vociferous in his
criticism of the status quo. Champalimaud’s bugbear is that the official system of vineyard
classification rates the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior higher than the Baixo Corgo where
his own family’s properties happen to be situated. With some justification he likes to remind
visitors that the Baixo Corgo was the part of the Douro where the Port trade began, but
loses respect with his perpetual tirade against today’s Port establishment. Perhaps for this
reason it has been difficult to take Champalimaud’s Ports seriously, and Quinta do Côtto
has become much better known for its range of red and white Douro wines. Although he
has only declared four vintages to date (1982, 1989, 1995 and 2001), Champalimaud has
done much to advance the cause of the ‘single quinta’ (and perhaps much to damage it).
In 1986 Quinta do Côtto became one of the first properties to take advantage of the new
legislation which permitted Port exports directly from the Douro, whereas previously it had
to be shipped from the entreposto in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Miguel Champalimaud has now retreated to the safer haven of property development
at Quinta da Marinha near Lisbon. Nonetheless, a rather quirky philosophy remains with
the 1995 and 2001 vintages made in a much drier style than is the norm (2.8 degrees
Baumé as opposed to around 4 Baumé). With a concentrated raisin-like aroma and a
flavour akin to bitter chocolate, the wine bears a strong resemblance to an Italian Recioto.
Filtered before bottling, it is enjoyable to drink young but it should never be thought of
as serious vintage Port.
Quinta do crasto
Sociedade Agricola da Quinta do Crasto
Quinta do crasto, Gouvinhas, 5060-063 sabrosa
tel. (351) 254 920 020
http://www.quintadocrasto.pt
Best known for its unfortified red Douro wines, this well-situated quinta midway between
Régua and Pinhão also produces both vintage and unfiltered LBV Port. Unusually, many
of the best grapes from the older low-yielding vineyards are used to make Douro wine and
Port is often relegated to second place. Nevertheless, Quinta do Crasto produces some