Investment on quality control

With the sales increasing and the need to escape from dependency on the producers from whom the bulk wines were purchased, but also the aim of a better quality control, a peace of land with vines was acquired in the Quinta dos Avidagos at Alvações do Corgo.

There, in order to assure quality control a winery was built in 1970.


Since then the production of C. da Silva Port Wines was started originating in grapes purchase directly from different farms in the various places in the demarcated region.

The vinification was made by the traditional methods, some of them still in use nowadays for the production of the Vintage Ports.
Actually this winery is substantially different from the original one. In fact in 1998/1999 a complete change was implemented, not only at a structural level but also at a quality one, representing an investment exceeding 2.500.000 Euros.

The production capacity was doubled reaching 3.000.000 litres that are vinified in the most modern set of temperature controlled vats. A careful selection grape insures superb quality in each harvest.
The wine remains in the winery until February/March of the year following the Vintage when they are transported to C. da Silva warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia.


It is in the City of Vila Nova de Gaia and within the «Entreposto» area established by law that C. da Silva has its cellars in a location exceeding 10.000 square meters.

It is in this place a annual stock of 10.000.000 liters of Port Wine are stored, in dozens of aerial and underground vats and about 2.900 french oak casks where the best Colheitas are ageing dating back many years ago - as well as about 130.000 bottles of Vintages and Late Bottled Vintages of different famous years.

DALVA DOURO GRANDE RESERVA TINTO 2009

  

The DALVA DOURO GRANDE RESERVA TINTO 2009, has been carefully produced with selected grapes from very old vines owned by traditional grape growers that have been working with C. da Silva, for a long time, the grape varietals used were Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Barroca and Touriga Nacional.
The DALVA DOURO GRANDE RESERVA TINTO 2009, aged in 600 liters french oak casks  for twenty four months.
The GRANDE RESERVA TINTO 2009 is now laying down in our Cellars, it matures at this moment in bottle, before being launched to the market.

Tasting notes
On tasting it presents itself very well balanced, toasted with vanilla hints upfront, leading to a very intense and  fruity aftertaste, fresh and delayed.

When to consume ?
It will be aged in bottle during one year, to increase the complexity of both aromas and taste, presenting more fineness.
It should be consumed between 16º and 18º C.
Winemaker | José Manuel Sousa Soares

Turning the page !!




In C. SILVA we invest in research processes and production of new Port styles, with a broader vision that led us to the invitations of renowned chefs of our national cuisine, as Miguel Castro Silva and Rui Paula.
A latent need in the Port Wines market produced to combine with entrees and desserts, with a total reciprocity of flavors and aromas... special lots, with a production limited to 500 bottles.
DALVA Miguel Castro Silva - During 20 years, Miguel Castro Silva has participated in Port wine tastings, experiencing combinations with this nectar, always trying to depart from the classical dessert.
After an extensive tasting discovering the vast stock on Wine C. SILVA, arises the idea of creating a White Port with dry and open profile, thought to act as a balm, with a unique structure and color, an amber color with golden tints, highlights its   potential when tasted with foie gras, orange cake and diverse entries based on tuna.
Thought to taste at the table, but not only, DALVA Miguel Castro Silva shows qualities of a Port wine thought to a simple tasting, served between 12º to 14º as a entree before a meal.

DALVA Colheita 1967 Rui Paula - The first question that may arise to our readers is 1967... why?

This question has a intuitive answer, was considered an excellent year for Port ... but besides being his first Port blend, this harvest has a special meaning for Rui Paula, because it was his year of birth.

The selection was made based on the best wines of 1967 aging since then in small french seasoned oak barrels.

Characterized by a enormous complexity of flavors, an irreverent acidity, it creates a perfect relationship with figs and ripe apricots “wrapped” in toffee.

The Douro Valley tour

The Douro Valley is one of the most beautiful Regions in all over the world, on the top of a slope you´ll be delighted to see kilometers of terraces everything presented in a perfect symmetry.

Demarcated in 1756 is the oldest Wine Region predating the emblematic Wine Regions in France.

First days of September is an outstanding time to visit the estates and hear the pickers singing during the harvest, or in the late afternoon in the lagares (portuguese meaning for large stone tanks) for the foot treading.

A romantic way of travelling is using a 1924 steam train that goes from Régua to Pinhão and Tua and does the way back. It is a pleasant tryp of 90 minutes with traditional portuguese music and of course a glass of Port.

Once in the train station of Pinhão, take a good look at the tiles with amazing ancient memories of the Douro Valley.

If you´re at Régua, eight kilometers distance and there is Quinta dos Avidagos where we have our Winery, located  at Alvações do Corgo.

These are some the tips when experiencing the Douro Valley... a world of sensations.

Gonçalo Devesas