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| DALVA DOC SUNRISE 2010 |
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| DALVA DOC SUNSET 2010 |
DALVA SUNRISE and SUNSET 2010
The Rabelo´s boat race
Every year on St. John´s day (June 24th), it takes place a official initiative of the Port wine Brotherhood, all the Port wine brands compete in a race with the ancient "rabelo" boat, that was the old transportation for the Port wine barrels, in those brave journeys from the Douro Valley till Vila Nova de Gaia.
(CEO´s of each cellar make part of the crew too)
These boats were replaced by train and cistern trucks in May 1971, now we may see the old "rabelo" skiff in the Douro river only for decor.
The race started in Afurada´s seaport and the finish line was in Ribeira, near to the bridge of D. Luís, in front of the Port wine warehouses, both shores of the Douro river were crowded, thousands of people.
The 27th race had a special moment, it was the first time that DALVA´s boat was racing, side by side with it´s partner the GRAN CRUZ´s boat.
This year the winner was CALÉM, nice race !!!
CONGRATULATIONS !!
Port... a wine with over 300 years of history...
In order to preserve the quality of the Port wine, quality control has became the responsibility of the Institute of Port Wine (IVDP) since 1934.
The wines were no longer exported from the Douro valley and would be subject to tight control on the shores of Vila Nova de Gaia, which was an obligatory passage point.
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| An IVDP inspector checking C. da Silva Port wines at Vila Nova de Gaia |
All wines destined to the exporter´s warehouses, were inspected after leaving the "Rabelo" boat, (a traditional skiff used for the Port wine transportation).
In 1942 was created the seal of approval, as part of each bottle.
In 1942 was created the seal of approval, as part of each bottle.
IVDP´s lab was completely renovated in 1990 and in 1994 was certified by the Portuguese Institute of Quality. On average, annualy, 5000 samples are taken and about 130 000 analysis made. Analysis made to acidity, ph, reducing sugars, density, color characteristics, sulfur dioxide...
DALVA Brandy VSOP (Very Special Old Pale)
After the grapes are pressed, the juice is left to ferment for two or three weeks, the alcohol content should be about 7% to 8%.
Distillation takes place in an alembic, two distillations must be done, resulting in a distilled grape spirit, with a translucent color, of about 70% alcohol.
Dalva Brandy V.S.O.P. will be aged in oak for at least twenty five years (average) before it can be sold to the public. As the Brandy interacts with the oak barrel and the air, it evaporates (about 3% a year) losing alcohol and water.
Because the alcohol evaporates faster than water, it will reach to 40% alcohol by volume when released to the market.
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| DALVA Brandy VSOP |
- VS Very Special, or ✯✯✯ (three stars) - the youngest brandy used in the blend is stored at least two years in cask.
- VSOP Very Special Old Pale - the youngest brandy used in the blend is stored at least four years in cask, with a much older average.
- XO Extra Old, the youngest brandy used in the blend is stored at least ten years in cask, the average should be older than twenty years.
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