The wine cellars of the Apolónia supermarkets, in the Algarve, won the “Loja/Garrafeira do Ano” category, the “The Best of the Year 2019” awards promoted by Revista de Vinhos.
The award, which was presented at a ceremony at Alfândega do Porto, in front of more than 900 guests, distinguished the «eclecticism of Portuguese and international wines», the «advice provided» and the «combination of several other products good gourmet food of high level' from the Apolónia wineries.
Niepoort Port Vintage 2017, one of the Port wines that received the highest rating (rating 20) by the Revista de Vinhos panel of tasters, was considered the “Wine of the Year 2019”. "Perfection, firmness, amazing!" were expressions used to describe this wine by Dirk Niepoort.
The Douro was highlighted among the awarded in the wine area: Quinta da Boavista, by the duo Marcelo Lima and Anthony Smith, was considered “Producer of the Year 2019”, an election for the consistency and excellent quality of the tops of the range Vinha do Ujo and Vinha do Oratório, which share a prominence with more experimental wines such as the single varietals of varieties such as Donzelinho or Tinto Cão; the Fladgate Partnership group (Taylor's, Fonseca, Croft and Krohn), which together with the elaboration of wine, joins bold tourism projects such as the future World of Wine, was considered “Fortified Wine Producer of the Year”; Pedro Frey Ramos, who produces disconcerting wines from old vines in Lamego, was awarded the “Revelation Producer of the Year” award; and Gran Cruz, the port wine giant that also produces DOC Douro and is strengthening its strong commitment to wine-related tourism, was considered “Company of the Year 2019”.
Paulo Nunes, the creator of the wines of Casa da Passarella (Dão), Casa de Saima (Bairrada) and Costa Boal (Trás-os-Montes and Douro), was considered “Oenologist of the Year”.
Márcio Lopes, author of wines like small shoots ou Prohibited, who works in vineyards in Vinhos Verdes, Douro and Ribeira Sacra (Spain), stood out for the editorial staff of Revista de Vinhos as “Revelation Winemaker of the Year”.
Carlos Simões, the second Portuguese to achieve the demanding award of “Master Sommelier” (there are only 279 recognized professionals with this title in the world), was elected “Sommelier of the Year”.
Vinalda, a distributor with more than 70 years and which is currently experiencing a new impulse, was elected “Distributor of the Year”.
Soalheiro, the first Alvarinho de Melgaço wine brand, on its way to 40 years old, was named “2019 Brand of the Year”.
The “Sustainability Program for Alentejo Wines”, which aims to continuously improve procedures in the areas of vines and wine to achieve greater sustainability at the most varied levels of production, was highlighted as “Innovation/Research of the Year”.
Also in Alentejo, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, in Albernôa, which completed the second phase of the wine tourism project by recovering ruins and thus doubling the capacity to stay, won in the “Wine Tourism of the Year” category.
In the area of gastronomy, the Egoísta restaurant at the Casino da Póvoa de Varzim, where chef Hermínio Costa pontificates, was considered “Gastronomic Restaurant of the Year”. In Matosinhos is the “Restaurant with the Best Wine Service, Os Lusíadas.
Diogo Rocha, the cook at Mesa de Lemos, a restaurant in Passos de Silgueiros, in Viseu, located in Quinta de Lemos and who recently achieved a Michelin star, is considered “Chef of the Year 2019” by Revista de Vinhos. Carlos Afonso, from the restaurant O Frade, in Lisbon, convinced the editorial staff of the publication in the category “Chief Revelation of the Year”.
Pine Flavor, a company that works with pine nuts and forest caviar in the Vale do Tejo, Álcacer do Sal and Coruche area, was awarded the “Artisan Producer of the Year” award.
The city of Lisbon, which teems with new hotel and restaurant spaces for all tastes, combining classicism and new trends, was awarded the “Gastronomic Destination of the Year” award.
In the “Personality” awards, Manuel Pinheiro, president of the Vinho Verde Region Viticulture Commission for almost 20 years and recognized by his peers as a diplomat, was considered “Personality of the Year 2019 in Wine”.
Rui Paula, the self-taught chef who recently made history by achieving the second Michelin star at the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova restaurant, in Leça da Palmeira, Matosinhos, was considered “Personality of the Year 2019 in Gastronomy”.
António Alves, a Portuguese emigrated to Brazil since the 40s, responsible for the Graal gas station network and the Rancho restaurant chain (including the famous Rancho 53 in São Paulo), was awarded the “Personality of the Year” award 2019 in Brazil".
For the third consecutive year, Revista de Vinhos promoted the Homage Award. This time, three ladies from the world of wine saw their work publicly praised: Jancis Robinson (British Master of Wine, wine advisor to the British Royal House, journalist, wine critic and author of leading wine publications); Clara Roque do Vale (who led the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission for 13 years, having been a driving force behind the Alentejo as a very significant region in wine production); and Leonor Freitas (the leader of Casa Ermelinda Freitas, who transformed the family project into one of the most important production companies in the Península de Setúbal region, today also with vineyards acquired in Vinhos Verdes and Douro) took the stage to a well-deserved recognition.
At the ceremony, Revista de Vinhos also awarded the “Excellence Award” to 30 Portuguese wines that convinced the panel of tasters.
Full details of the “Best of the Year” are available in the February issue of Revista de Vinhos.
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