Charme is all about elegance and balance, achieved by taking special attention to the smallest details during the entire wine-making process. Made in traditional stone lagares with 100% grape stems, Charme’s elegance is achieved using grapes from very old vineyards in Vale de Mendiz, on the banks of the Pinhão River.
Serve at 16-18 °C with mushrooms and game dishes
he 2009 CHARME is an old vines (70-100 years) blend aged in French oak for 14 months. Meaty on first taste and seeming a bit fleshy this year, this resolves nicely and comes together, although it has a notable smokey note on the bouquet and palate. Its caressing texture is lovely. That smokey aspect won't please everyone. Crisp and a bit on the high acid side, it is elegant in the mid-palate, but quite penetrating and persistent on the finish, helped along by that acidity. Perhaps this will come together a bit with a little more time, the aromatics moderating with age. There were 9,900 bottles produced. Drink now-2019.
Niepoort – A Fusion of Portuguese Wine Tradition and Innovation
Niepoort is one of Portugal’s most iconic and highly respected wine producers, crafting outstanding Port wines as well as still wines from the Douro, Dão and Bairrada regions since 1842. A family-owned winery, Niepoort is defined by vision, respect for tradition, courage, curiosity and a restless drive to explore. These qualities have shaped the Niepoort family journey for generations.
The results are born of meticulous work, but also of a constant desire for innovation, rooted in collaboration and generational dialogue. Throughout Niepoort’s history, two generations have always worked side by side. Today, the fifth and sixth generations continue this tradition, earning international acclaim for their ability to unite deep-rooted winemaking heritage with a modern, creative approach to wine.
Douro Valley – A Unique Terroir and a Home of Sustainable Winemaking
Niepoort wines originate in one of Europe’s oldest and most dramatic wine regions – the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, schist (xisto) soils, steep mountainous landscapes and the river-shaped microclimate create ideal conditions for producing wines of character, depth and complexity.
Niepoort places strong emphasis on sustainable viticulture. Many vineyards are farmed according to organic or biodynamic principles, and winemaking is carried out with minimal intervention. Old vines, careful hand harvesting and natural fermentations allow each vintage to express its true and authentic character.
Masters of Port – And Much More
While Niepoort is globally renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Port wines, the estate is equally celebrated for its dry red and white wines, admired for their freshness, elegance and remarkable ageing potential. Iconic labels such as Redoma, Batuta, Vertente and Coche showcase the Douro’s ability to produce world-class wines beyond fortified styles.
Every bottle is a reflection of a deep connection to the land, respect for history and an unrelenting passion for experimentation.
A Philosophy Driven by Curiosity and Craft
For Niepoort, winemaking is not just about theory or technology, but about doing what you love, without fear of making mistakes. Experimenting, refining and reinventing until balance is achieved – always with respect for terroir and the wisdom of previous generations.
“It’s not machines that make the difference, but our minds.”
This is how Dirk Niepoort continues to champion Portuguese wines on the international stage: by caring for old vineyards and exploring the full potential of indigenous grape varieties. Step into the world of Niepoort – where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand.
