Kopke is one of the oldest and most prestigious Port wine houses in Portugal, with a history dating back to 1638. Over the centuries, the winery has become renowned for its high-quality wines, which are aged to perfection in oak barrels to create complex and flavorful blends. In this article, we will explore the history of Kopke and some of the highly rated Port wines that they offer.
History of Kopke
Kopke was founded in 1638 by German immigrants Cristiano Köpke and his son, Nicolau Köpke. The winery was originally located in the Douro Valley, where the Köpke family produced Port wine for local and international markets. Over the years, the winery has changed hands several times, but it has always remained committed to producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Douro Valley.
One of the defining characteristics of Kopke is their dedication to the aging process. The winery uses a variety of oak barrels, including American and French oak, to create complex and nuanced flavors in their wines. Some of the barrels are over 100 years old, and the winery takes great care to ensure that each wine is aged to perfection before it is released.
Highly Rated Kopke Port Wines
Kopke is known for producing some of the finest Port wines in the world. Here are a few of their most highly rated wines:
Kopke Colheita 1999
The Kopke Colheita 1999 is a highly rated wine that has received numerous awards and accolades. This wine is aged for 19 years in oak barrels, resulting in a complex flavor profile that includes notes of dried fruit, caramel, and spice. The wine has a rich, full-bodied texture that is balanced by a smooth finish.
Kopke Vintage 2011
The Kopke Vintage 2011 is a highly rated wine that is known for its rich, fruity flavor and full-bodied texture. This wine is made from a blend of high-quality grapes that are harvested from the Douro Valley and aged in oak barrels for two years before they are bottled. The result is a wine that is both complex and balanced, with notes of black cherry, blackberry, and spice.
Kopke Colheita 1966
The Kopke Colheita 1966 is a highly rated wine that has been aged in oak barrels for over 50 years. This wine has a rich, full-bodied texture that is balanced by a smooth finish. The flavor profile includes notes of dried fruit, caramel, and spice, with a hint of nuttiness on the finish.
Kopke Tawny 40 Year Old
The Kopke Tawny 40 Year Old is a highly rated wine that is known for its complex flavor profile and smooth, velvety texture. This wine is aged for 40 years in oak barrels, resulting in a flavor profile that includes notes of dried fruit, caramel, and spice. The wine has a long finish that is balanced by a subtle sweetness.
Kopke Colheita 1940
The Kopke Colheita 1940 is a highly rated wine that has been aged in oak barrels for over 80 years. This wine has a rich, full-bodied texture that is balanced by a smooth finish. The flavor profile includes notes of dried fruit, caramel, and spice, with a hint of nuttiness on the finish.
Conclusion
Kopke is a winery with a long and storied history in the Douro Valley. The winery is known for producing high-quality Port wines that are aged to perfection in oak barrels. The highly rated wines produced by Kopke are sought after by wine enthusiasts around the world.
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