Adega Belém closed during Easter week 25-30 March

 

Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective

> texto Sarah Ahmed, The Wine Detective > fotografia Sarah Ahmed

Academics turned winemakers Catarina Moreira and David Picard are having a ball making garagiste wines in a quirky garage in Lisbon’s Belém district.  The former spray paint bodyshop functions as Adega Belém’s cellar; the tools of a mechanic’s trade don the walls.

The grapes are primarily sourced from Lisbon University’s vineyards.   It’s still early days and this is a boundary pushing, innovative project.   No holds barred. These honest, fun wines showcase the varieties well and the charming urbanistas’ passion project has a thriving cellar door, offering tastings, winery tours and cold platters.

Adega Belém Unicórnio Graúdo Ânfora Curtimenta 2022

A golden Moscatel with lots of orange peel, blossom and spice to its pear/pear tape fruit.  Pithy phenolics lend balance.  Nice freshness.  Medium length.  I preferred this to the curtimenta in barrica, which was a little nutty and dry/astringent.  Grape tannins (not wood) good!

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