Casa Ferreirinha’s Quinta da Leda 2013 is an exemplary red wine from the heart of Portugal’s Douro region. This cuvée is typically crafted from a blend of native grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Tinto Cão. The 2013 vintage benefited from a growing season marked by a cool spring and a warm, dry summer, lending structure and elegance to the final wine. After a careful manual harvest, the grapes are vinified with both traditional foot treading in granite lagares and modern winemaking techniques, followed by maturation in French oak barrels to intensify complexity and smoothness.
The Douro region, famous as the birthplace of Port wine, is equally respected for its high-quality dry reds. The Douro Valley’s steep terraced vineyards line the riverbanks, rooted in schist and granite soils that force the vines to grow deep and struggle, resulting in concentrated, expressive fruit. The region’s hot, dry summers and harsh winters, tempered slightly by the river, contribute to wines with both power and finesse. Centuries of winemaking tradition, coupled with innovation from producers like Casa Ferreirinha, have helped Douro dry reds gain international acclaim.
The rich, structured profile of the Quinta da Leda lends itself well to bold food pairings. It would be outstanding alongside roast lamb with rosemary, venison with red berry sauce, or traditional Portuguese dishes such as posta mirandesa (grilled Mirandesa beef) or feijoada (bean and meat stew). The wine’s tannic backbone and lingering finish also complement mature hard cheeses like Queijo da Serra.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-18°C. Decant for at least an hour before tasting to allow the bouquet of dark berries, candied plum, violet, and subtle spice to unfold. This structured 2013 vintage is drinking beautifully now but could also gracefully evolve with a few more years in the cellar.
