Colheita (pronounced Coľ-eij-ta) means „harvest“ in Portuguese, in our sense it can also be interpreted as „Vintage“.
All grapes come from one harvest and can come from more than one vineyard at the same time.
Colheita production is supervised by IVDP experts as well as other Port wines.
These are rare port wines that are produced only in the best years, similar to the Vintage type. Unlike him, however, they mature all the time in wooden barrels, whether high-volume toneis or balseiros or subsequently in 550-liter pipas.
The binding rule is that Colheita port wines are aged in oak barrels for at least 7 years, however, this species is usually left to lie in the wood for more than 40 years. You will find the year of bottling on the label.
As their production is time consuming, you will find the best Colheites mainly at the largest wineries with a long history, such as Kopke, Quinta do Noval, Ferreira, Niepoort, Real Companhia Velha, Burmester, Barros, Ramos Pinto, Warre’s or Borges. These brands still have very rare specimens from, for example, the year 1800. Among the gems of winemakers‘ art are also Colheites from white vine varieties.
And what are the best grades? You can find a ranking of their popularity by consumer, for example, on the well-known search engine Wine-searcher.com.
Port wine Colheita is often a grateful gift, because the vintage on the bottle agrees with the year of birth of the recipient.
ColheitaColheita (source: passion-port.de)
The price of Colheity ranges from 35 USD upwards, but rather prepare more money for their purchase, especially if you want to donate Colheit to your grandparents.
Thanks to a long time spent in a wooden barrel, the wine acquires the mahogany color of old Tawny, a delicate and complex bouquet and a silky structure. In the taste you will gradually discover dried fruits, nuts, citrus and exotic spices.
Open Colheita in combination with Brie cream cheese, Camembert French cheese or Serra da Estrela Portuguese sheep cheese. It also delights gourmets with roasted chestnuts or crème brûlée dessert. And if you are a smoker, you will enjoy this wine with a quality cigar.
