Vacso & The Explorers Touriga Nacional | Stellenbosch, South Africa

£15.40

‘‘I am not afraid of the darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living.’’ Vasco da Gama. This wine is named after de Gama (a 15th century Portuguese explorer) fittingly, per the quote, from one of Portugal’s ‘darkest’ grape varietals.

Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea via the Cape of Good Hope. Touriga Nacional, one of Portugal’s most revered varieties, loves sun-soaked, warm climates and Stellenbosch is the perfect region to enhance ripeness and balance – leading to production taking off in South Africa in the 1990s.

This 100% Touriga Nacional gets plenty of skin to juice contact and is fermented at between 28-32⁰C. It is aged for 6 months in second fill oak casks to round out the tannins.

‘‘I am not afraid of the darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living.’’ Vasco da Gama. This wine is named after de Gama (a 15th century Portuguese explorer) fittingly, per the quote, from one of Portugal’s ‘darkest’ grape varietals.

Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea via the Cape of Good Hope. Touriga Nacional, one of Portugal’s most revered varieties, loves sun-soaked, warm climates and Stellenbosch is the perfect region to enhance ripeness and balance – leading to production taking off in South Africa in the 1990s.

This 100% Touriga Nacional gets plenty of skin to juice contact and is fermented at between 28-32⁰C. It is aged for 6 months in second fill oak casks to round out the tannins.

Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Grapes: Touriga Nacional

Tasting Notes: Deep, dark fruit aromas, good purity of fruit on the palate – blackcurrants with soft tannins and a lovely note of chocolate on the finish.

ABV: 13.5%

Vintage: 2019

Ageing potential:

Attributes: Vegan, oak-aged

Closure: Screwcap

Farming: The vineyards have not sprayed insecticides for the past 13 years 

Sustainability info: There is a strong focus on water conservation, recycling and a greening project, which entails the planting of 1000’s of indigenous trees on the farm. The vinery runs several social upliftment initiatives off the farm, including the Pebbles Project teaching children the benefits of environmental awareness.

Winemaker:

Winery link

Food pairing suggestions: A perfect match for hearty steaks, burgers, casseroles. Would also work with a vegetarian lasagne.