Mateusz wine: history, features + how to drink
Portugal has long been famous for its spirits, such as port and madeira, but it is most famous for its light wine, Mateus. It is noteworthy that several variants of table drinks are produced under this brand, but pink sparkling wine has become the most popular.
The history and the secret of success
Sogrape Original Legacy Wines, the company that produces the legendary wine, was founded in 1942.
At the origins of the brand was an enterprising representative of the Guedes family - Fernando, whose descendants still run the company today.
The Portuguese winery "Sogrape Vinhos" became famous in an instant after the appearance of an unusual drink for the country called "Mateus".
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First of all, it is high quality
No matter how original the design and huge the promotion costs, they will not save low-grade products.
Mateus wine is made exclusively from the best raw materials in compliance with modern technologies and corked with a real Portuguese cork.
But at the same time, it belongs to the wines of the budget segment, intended for mass consumption.
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An unusual bottle
In fact, the unique design is a direct consequence of the events that took place at the time.
Considering that the first batch of the drink was produced at the height of the Second World War, there is nothing surprising in its design.
The prototype of the famous bottle is a soldier's flask: a narrow neck and a wide teardrop-shaped base.
Among the traditional wine containers, this design looked at least unusual, and for most consumers who are familiar with military realities, it seemed close and in line with the times...
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The right moment
Sparkling wines in the middle of the XX century were incredibly popular in Europe and America.
As for Portugal, it was Mateusz who became the first such drink here.
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A beautiful label with a relevant story
Interestingly, the wine got its name from a local landmark - the Mateusz Palace. He is also depicted on the bottle.
The producers of the beverage, who are not the owners of the architectural complex, offered its owners to choose one of the following options: to receive a one-time compensation for the use of the image or to deduct a specified amount from each sale.
The owners of the palace were clearly in a hurry with the decision, giving preference to the first option.
Given that more than a billion bottles have already been sold, today the sales revenue would be a huge amount.
Features of production and description of the drink
Traditionally, the same technology is used to produce rosé sparkling wine as for white wine, which involves slow fermentation at 16 °C, cold stabilization, filtration, etc. д.
The creators of the Mateusz brand did not make changes to the process itself, but still went the revolutionary route.
Instead of a mixture of white and red grape varieties, Mateusz used only red grapes to make his first rosé wine.
At that time, the drink was made from a mixture of local varieties of Baga, Rufete, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Franca.
The result was an exquisite wine - light, refreshing, moderately sparkling.
Today, Mateusz can be made from different raw materials (for example, from Tempranillo or Aroganes varieties), but its first-class quality always remains unchanged.
The taste of Mateus can be characterized as delicate, soft, balanced, with a delicate berry aftertaste.
Mateus Rosé Tempranillo has strawberry aroma and confectionery notes.
How to drink Mateus
It should be consumed chilled (optimally 6-10 °C) as an aperitif or as an addition to light dishes: fish, white meat, salads, grilled vegetables and seafood.
The wine is well refreshing and will fit well on a hot summer day.
It is also in harmony with oriental dishes.
The Mateus line of drinks
The Portuguese company paid a lot of attention to research in the field of winemaking, bought vineyards, improved and modernized production technologies.
All of this has led to the emergence of new flavors and an expanded range of drinks.
In addition to the classic rosé, Sogrape Vinhos produces the following Mateus wines:
Mateus Blanco
Semi-dry white wine made from Malvasia and Arinta grapes. Belongs to quiet sparkling wines.
The color of the drink is pale golden, the aroma is delicate, fruity, the taste is lively, balanced, slightly carbonated, with a slight bitterness.
It is suitable as an aperitif and is combined with snacks, fish, seafood.
Mateus Sparkling
The collection is represented by three types of wines: rose brut, semi-dry and dry white.
Various grape varieties are used as raw materials, mainly Baga, Shiraz, Arinta, Muscat, Rufete and Maria Gomez.
The first two drinks are characterized by a pale pink color with a slight salmon hue.
Taste: floral and fruity, clearly perceptible hints of raspberries, apples, pears, toasted bread. The aftertaste is fragrant and delicate.
The wines can be combined with both young, juicy meat and fruit desserts.
White has a golden citrus hue, in addition to fruity notes, creamy and floral notes are present in the taste. The finish is fresh and elegant.
Harmoniously complements oriental cuisine and fruit desserts. Suitable as an aperitif.
Mateus Expressions
A collection of four wines, the color of which starts with pale yellow and becomes more intense from drink to drink.
The last wine in the line has a bright pink hue.
Different grape varieties are used in production, which determine the taste and color of the finished product.
Baga and Shiraz give the wine an intense raspberry hue and aroma of violets and strawberries, Aragonese and Zinfandel provide salmon color and soft berry flavor with a floral trail.
The raw materials for the pale pink drink are Muscat and Baga, with tropical flowers and honey in the taste.
The lightest wine made from Maria Gomez and Chardonnay fruits plays with citrus and floral aromas and finishes with buttery notes of vanilla.
All drinks are good as an aperitif and an addition to light snacks.
Wines are served chilled to 6-10°C. The alcohol content in them does not exceed 11%.
Consumers highly appreciate the Mateus brand, noting its affordability combined with a decent taste.
The popularity of the wine could not but lead to attempts to copy and create counterfeit products.
Therefore, when buying it, you should carefully examine the bottle to exclude the possibility of buying a fake.
It is worth paying attention not only to the originality and integrity of the packaging, but also to the purity of the contents, the absence of factory defects, the presence of excise duty and natural cork.
Update: 11.09.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth