2018 HARVEST IN PORTUGAL According to IVV - Portuguese Institute of Vines and Wines, overall wine production should decrease 3% in 2018/2019 from the previous campaign. Estimates point to an overall volume of 6.5 million hectoliters, which, although the decrease, it is very close to the average of the last five campaigns.
Production decreased in most regions, except for Alentejo, Algarve and Açores. In the region of Douro and Port it is not expected variation from the previous campaign. How it was for our producers: LUA CHEIA EM VINHAS VELHAS Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas started harvesting on September 17th with Sauvignon Blanc, with Alvarinho to follow and finally Loureiro finishing the harvest on October 4th.
In the Monção and Melgaço subregion there have been some breaks in production mainly due to mildew attacks. Nevertheless, this year, Alvarinho has a good balance between alcohol and acidity, which has dropped slightly compared to previous years. The Loureiro revealed aromatic expressiveness that, combined with its structure and balanced acidity, made it a very special vintage. As for the Sauvignon Blanc, it presents a good balance highlighting the characteristic vegetable aromas of the grape variety.
It was a good year with very promising features.
The harvest began on August 31st, a date that was defined jointly by the vineyard manager after analysis of the year, the vegetative cycle of the grapevine and the various factors that affect the maturation of the grape.
Harvest began with the white grape varieties from old vineyards in the area of Murça and red grapes were harvested later. The harvest finished on October 18th with red grapes from a special vineyard in the area of Vale de Mendiz, that includes Tinto Cão and Touriga Nacional grape varieties.
Overall, grapes have good quality although less quantity. The wines stand out for their good aromatic complexity, good acidity, round tannins with very promising characteristics.
COMPANHIA DAS LEZÍRIAS - TEJO
In 2018 the vegetative cycle was 3 weeks later compared to 2017. The heat wave at the beginning of August affected the most exposed bunches but it had no qualitative impact.
In the Tejo region, Companhia das Lezíras began harvesting on August 27th with Viosinho and Fernão Pires grape varieties and finished on October 9th with Alicante Bouschet.
The white wines stand out for their elegance, depth and concentration, characteristic of the best years. The red wines are very elegant with great ageing capacity.
HERDADE DE PEGOS CLAROS - PALMELA
2018 was characterized by a relatively dry winter followed by a very rainy spring. After budding, all stages of the cycle of grapevine arrived three weeks late. The vineyards had a very balanced production with everything indicating a year of quality and generous in quantity. However, a heat wave at the beginning of August affected 50% of the production due to the high temperatures.
The remaining grapes were even more concentrated though and allowed us to produce excellent wines.
Let's wait, but we are looking forward to tasting all the wines!
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Reviews by Mark Squires 
1836 Grande Reserva White DOC DO Tejo 2017
Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Tinto DOC Douro 2017
Pegos Claros Grande Escolha DOC Palmela 2015
