Fonseca question

Kurt Wieneke · Post by **Kurt Wieneke** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:00 pm

Is the Fonseca Guimaraens bottling officially considered a SQVP or a VP?

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:23 pm

Kurt,

Guimaraens is not a SQVP. The Fonseca website (http://www.fonseca.pt) describes it as:

In years when Fonseca does not ‘declare’ a classic vintage, it selects the finest grapes from its own vineyards to yield a small quantity of this superb wine, which is produced exactly as a declared Fonseca Vintage. Beautifully structured and perfectly balanced, Guimaraens Vintage Ports show Fonseca’s superb marriage of power and breed in a slightly lighter, earlier-maturing style.

Fonseca make a SQVP from their top Quinta - Panascal

Derek

Kurt Wieneke · Post by **Kurt Wieneke** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 4:01 pm

Thanks for the info Derek.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:24 am

Hi Kurt,

To further elaborate:

There must be a Quinta along with vineyards in order for their to be a SQVP from a property. No Quinta name, no SQVP. Fonseca uses at least 3 of their own properties, plus they buy grapes/juice from private growers to make the Guimaraens cuvee that winds up as Vintage Port. It is a "second label" for lack of a better term. There are single vineyard and have even been single grape Vintage Ports too, but that is an entirely different fish to fry.