Mateus Nicolau de Almeida, the man behind Muxagat Wines, takes us on a journey from the underground vats of his cellar to the vineyards on the higher shores of the Douro river.
Maria Braga, our Partner from Grão-a-Grão ventured out into the steep hills of the North Douro Valley to search for the meaning of Muxagat Wines. She travels the land, speaks with the grape harvesters, the men behind the press and Mateus who has made wine making his whole life.
This is not Bordeaux! there is no Petrvs, nor châteaux ! There is no glamour and pretentiousness in wine making! There is no Michel Rolland nor Robert Parker!
Its simple Portuguese people, who have been connected to the land for all their life. Who know these hills the river like the back of their hands. Who make harvest time a celebration, a festivity in producing a wine that has their simply, but proud values in it. A sentiment that goes much beyond looking at profit and marketing as a way of doing business. These people love their land, their grapes and their wine.
Funny enough, I used to strongly recommended Muxagat Wines, to my guests at Palacio Belmonte, even before knowing Maria Braga and her videos. The edged roughness of the sip, always reminded me of serrated Douro Landscape, and the strong lasting after taste an assurance that this was made to leave and impression, not only to please you for an instant.
Miguel shows us how he imprints the earth, the processes and his thoughts into the wine. Sharing his know-how and what makes wine special for him , elevates it to a dimension that goes beyond the the physical aspect.
Hopefully some Trader or high-priced Lawyer in New York can sense this difference, and see that in essence, Portuguese Wines are wholesome.