Notes: The German Family named Kopke came from Hamburg to Lisbon in 1636. Two years later, in 1638, Christiano Kopke established himself in Oporto, as merchant and exporter of Portuguese products, and he started the export of Portuguese wines already produced in the region, as part of his business. When the Wine - then known as Portwine - was recognized, the House of Kopke which is today the oldest Portwine's export firm, was one of the leaders in the field. Through many generations, the company was run by several members of Kopke's family, obtaining an excellent reputation for its wines, especially its vintage tawny. This is a wonderful birthday or anniversary bottle.
Every wine tells a story. Kopke's Colheitas, however, tell a unique story. To taste a wine is to taste history and, in the case of this 1999 Colheita, it means remembering a remarkable event like the adoption of the Euro as underlying accounting currency in Portugal and 10 other EU countries.
Winemaking: The wine-making process includes the halting of fermentation by adding the grape brandy, the blending of di erent wines and the ageing of the resulting wine. Fermentation takes place in vats (lagares) at a controlled temperature of 29°C, until the right degree of sweetness (baumé) is achieved, at which point the grape brandy is added. A wine of high quality, made from one single harvest. A Colheita wine matures in oak barrels for periods of time that can vary, but never less than 7 years. It is then bottled and sold according to the demands of the market.
Tasting Notes: Vivid golden-red colour. Complex bouquet of fruity aromas, especially red fruit. In the mouth, it is elegant, well structured and with excellent aromatic intensity. Its freshness is in perfect balance with the delicious fruity avours that persist in a seductive and lengthy finish.
Recommendations: Perfect with very sweet desserts, ice cream and chocolate. Best served at a temperature between 14 and 16°C.
