Wines Douro Altano - 2022

Viniou Reviews

Altano Douro Vinho de Mesa 2022 is a red wine that captures the essence of Portugal's celebrated Douro Valley. Crafted primarily from indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Nacional, this vintage embodies the balance and richness characteristic of the region’s table wines. The 2022 vintage benefits from a year that offered both optimal ripening and freshness, resulting in a wine with expressive fruit aromas, vibrant acidity, and supple tannins. Altano’s winemaking stays true to Douro tradition, relying on careful hand-harvesting and modern vinification techniques that preserve the freshness and individuality of each grape variety, with moderate ageing in stainless steel or seasoned oak, ensuring the fruit takes centre stage.

The Douro region, carved by the dramatic meanders of the Douro River, is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine areas and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its vineyards are perched on steep, schist-laden terraces, basking in the hot, dry summers and chilly winters of a continental climate. This unique terroir, combined with a mosaic of native grape varieties, imparts both structure and aromatic complexity to its wines. The Douro’s centuries-old winemaking heritage originally focused on Port production, but in recent decades, it has become renowned for its high-quality dry red wines, celebrated for their depth, freshness, and finesse.

For food pairings, Altano Douro 2022 shines alongside hearty dishes that can stand up to its vibrant fruit and fine tannins. Portuguese classics such as grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary, chorizo and bean stew, or even a flavourful bacalhau à Brás make delightful companions. It also works beautifully with roasted vegetables, mature cheeses, or Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, where tomatoes, olives, and aromatic herbs take centre stage.

To enjoy the wine at its best, serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for about thirty minutes can further enhance its bouquet, allowing the expressive Douro fruit and subtle earthy notes to unfold gracefully in the glass.