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Welcome
Welcome to Cortes de Cima, a family owned and run vineyard and winery located in Alentejo, Southern Portugal.
We strive to capture the abundant Alentejan sunshine in the vineyard, where we start making our wines.
Our work is finished off in the winery, where the grapes are carefully handled to preserve the concentrated color, aroma and fruit flavor of the ripe Alentejan grapes.
Come and browse through our website to learn more about our vineyard, winery and wines, and something about the beautiful Alentejo region.
'Essência do Vinho' International Competition - Top Ten Portuguese Wines
We are proud to announce that Incógnito 2005 has won 3rd place in the Top Ten Portuguese Wines Competition, conducted by 'Blue Wine' in conjunction with the wine fair "Essência do Vinho". The blind tasting which took place in the city of Oporto, was conducted by a jury of international renowned wine journalists including Charles Metcalfe, Jorge Lucky, and Jose Penin.
Don't just hide from it, use it!
At Cortes de Cima, instead of just hiding from Alentejo's abundant sunshine, we have decided to harness it. 56 square meters of solar panels top our southern facing roof, combined with a thermal tank of 5.000 liters to supply the winery with all the hot water we need.
Our solar system has been financed solely by private funds. As a way to get the solar power movement going, the state of California under Governor Arnold Schwarzeneger rewards private industry funding of solar power installations with cash rebates and tax incentives. Furthermore, any excess electrical energy can be sold to the regions grid. As a result, the Californian winery industry has flocked to Solar Power. If only Portugal could imitate the Californian Governator's green example, the sooner we could achieve our aim of total self-sufficency through solar power in all our energy needs here at Cortes de Cima.
Read more about Sustainability at Cortes de Cima here
Latest Ratings from Robert Parker! All Reservas rated 90+!
When we first started to make wine at Cortes de Cima, we decided only to produce a Reserva when we had a particularly fine vintage. To date, we have only bottled Reservas from 5 harvests - 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003 and (the soon to be launched ) 2004.
Now, during a recent vertical tasting of Cortes de Cima Reservas by Robert Parker's emissary Mark Squires, all 5 vintages have achieved a rating of 90+ , proof that we have not wavered from this ambition.
Reserva 1998, topped the list with 93 Points, proof that Alentejan wines can improve with ageing, an issue which is often debated in wine circles. Reserva 2003 came in number 2 in the line up, with 92 points. Reservas 2004 and 2001 - 91 points; and 90 points for our first ever Reserva 1997. The other wines rated with 90+ Parker points were Incognito 2004 and 2002 and Touriga Nacional 2005.
"Alentejo has always had some flagships, the region is developing an exciting group of wineries that can act as additional standard bearers and adding them to existing stalwarts like .. Cortes de Cima. ....This winery is one of Alentejo’s stalwarts. They generally make them bold and big, although there seems to be a trend to more restraint. A vertical tasting of the Reservas, including the release reviewed last year (the 2003, 92 points) showed what the winery can accomplish.. they are worth noting here to show what this winery can do and how well these can age....
The 1998 RESERVA is simply beautiful, perhaps the best wine I have tasted from this winery. If this is what they turn into, maybe it’s time to start cellaring them and stop diving into them so soon. " - Mark Squires, Dec 2007 - eRobertParker.com
“240 Melhores Vinhos para 2008” by Aníbal Coutinho
In the words of the author: “This is a guide exclusively of the best brands. This guide aims to select only the top wines which will be appearing on the shelves during 2008. " Cortes de Cima is proud to have 3 wines in this exclusive lineup, including the Top rated Alentejan wine - INCÓGNITO 2005.
INCÓGNITO 2005 (96 points).
CORTES DE CIMA TOURIGA NACIONAL 2005 (92 points)
CORTES DE CIMA RESERVA 2004 (91 points)
PRESS RELEASE: Incognito 2004
Due to an unacceptable level of cork taint (TCA), we have decided not to launch Incognito 2004 in the majority of our markets, as a large part of the wine had to be rejected! Before the high level of cork taint became detectable, the 2004 vintage of Incognito had been rated with 90 Parker points, as well as having brought home 2 Gold Medals and 1 'Best of Class' . A great loss to both our winery and all Incognito fans worldwide!
:-(
Award Winning Olive Oil!
We are pleased to announce the winning of Second Prize (Medium fruitiness) at the most prestigious international Mario Solinas Olive Oil competition 2007.
Already during 2007, our Extra VIrgin Olive Oil has also won Gran Menziones at 2 other important competitions - "LEONE D'ORO" Dei Mastri Oleari and Concorso Oleario Internazionale Armonia .
While the German magazine DER FEINSCHMECKER has picked our olive oil among their TOP 200 Olive Oils of the World 2007.
THE CORTES CONCERT - 6th Annual Summer Vineyard Concert - 17 May 2008
Ulla Kudsk Jensen - Mezzo Soprano, Jesper Buhl - Baritone, and Mats Knutsson on the Piano- from the Royal Opera, Copenhagen and the Jyske Opera.
Returning by popular demand! Don´t miss a chance to enjoy a magical evening of music, wine and food in a summer vineyard setting. Saturday, 17th May, 2008.
Price: 115 euros per person, including winery tour, wine tasting and gala buffet dinner (wine included). Places are limited, so send your pre-reservation now to Patricia!
"Let’s be uplifted together in the company of good music and lovely wine. " - Ulla Kudsk Jensen