Mouchão Abafado
14,00€ VAT included
A homage to the Casa Branca community in Sousel.
This fortified dessert wine has been produced at Mouchão since the winery was built in 1901.
After 120 years, it continues to be the essential drink for local Alentejan families over the Christmas season. Sold and consumed young, mostly in early December of the same year of production. Today, it is fast growing in popularity outside the colder months and in mid-summer many local restaurants serve it after dinner, fridge cold.
A traditional local drink and part of the Northern Alentejo culture.
MOUCHAO ABAFADO – TECHNICAL INFORMATION
VINIFICATION
This fortified wine has been produced at Mouchão since the winery was built in 1901. The fruit was hand-harvested and foot-trodden in traditional open troughs, or lagares. Crushed grapes are gently macerated and allowed to initiate fermentation to develop some subtle but needed roundness. A limited quantity of free-run juice is then drained from the lagar and clean spirit (a form of purified brandy) is added to prevent further fermentation, thereby maintaining a certain level of sweetness whilst boosting the alcohol content to around 20% Vol.
VITICULTURE
The grapes varieties used in this young, fortified dessert wine are Aragonêz – sourced from the 20-year-old Mouchão Velho vineyard – and Alicante Bouschet – sourced from Mouchão’s younger vineyards, which helps provide more red fruit flavours and mouth-fill to this popular tipple.
TASTING NOTES
Bursting with fruit-forward intensity, this fortified wine is both supple and sweet. Balancing rich red fruit flavours with a light texture, and a delightfully long finish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
An after-dinner dessert wine, that is best enjoyed on its own, alongside puddings or a bica coffee. Traditionally featured in the winter season, it is also a delight served fridge cold during the hot summer months.