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Horácio SimõesSetúbal

€63.70
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TECH SHEET

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Country
PortugalPortugal
Region
Setúbal
Type
Moscatel
Producer
Horácio Simões
Winemaker
Luís Camacho Simões
Grapes
Moscatel Roxo
Alcohol
17.5% vol.
Bottle
500 ml

Wine profile

Fortified

Sweetness
Body
Alcohol17.5% vol

Tap or hover a scale

Wine profile · Fortified

Sweetness

Level 5 of 5 — Very sweet and luscious – like honey or dried figs

Above typical (3.7) · Typical: average of 43 fortified wines at Vinogrande

What it is

Sweetness comes from the grape's natural sugar that did not turn into alcohol (residual sugar). A dry wine has almost none; a Port or a late-harvest wine has a lot.

Where you feel it

On the tip of your tongue, right from the first sip, and as a richer, oilier feel in the mouth. Acidity can mask it.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: the rules of the style (WSET; IVDP for Port and Madeira).

It is measured in grams of residual sugar per litre. General EU bands: dry up to about 4 g/L, off-dry up to 12, medium-sweet up to 45, sweet above that. On our scale: under 4 g/L = 1, up to 12 = 2, up to 45 = 3, up to 100 = 4, more = 5.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Dry: no noticeable sugar
  2. 2Off-dry: a touch of sweetness
  3. 3Medium-sweet: clearly sweet
  4. 4Sweet: rich and fruity
  5. 5Very sweet: luscious This wine

In practice, for this wine

A dessert in itself: chocolate, nuts, aged or blue cheese. A small glass is enough.

Wine profile · Fortified

Body

Level 4 of 5 — Full and broad – like single cream

In line with typical (3.9) · Typical: average of 37 fortified wines at Vinogrande

What it is

Body is the weight and texture of the wine in your mouth. It comes mainly from alcohol, extract (everything dissolved apart from water), glycerol and, in sweet wines, sugar.

Where you feel it

Across the whole tongue: how much the wine fills your mouth. Think skimmed milk, whole milk and cream.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: the rules of the style (WSET; IVDP for Port and Madeira).

There is no single number for body. Labs measure dry extract (many wines are between 18 and 30 g/L) and alcohol, which WSET says has the biggest effect on body. Our scale rates the weight in the mouth.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Light: fluid and delicate
  2. 2Medium−: light-ish
  3. 3Medium: rounded
  4. 4Medium+: broad This wine
  5. 5Full: dense and rich

In practice, for this wine

Wants dishes with structure: red meat, roasts, mushrooms, aged cheese.

Wine profile · Fortified

Alcohol 17.5% vol

Level 3 of 5 — Firm warmth, well blended with the sweetness

Below typical (3.7) · Typical: average of 43 fortified wines at Vinogrande

What it is

Alcohol is made when yeast ferments the grape's sugar. It brings warmth, adds to the body and carries the aromas.

Where you feel it

As warmth in your throat and chest when you swallow, and a slight burn on the nose when it is high.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: the alcohol stated on the label — On the label: 17.5% vol.

It is the one axis that is always measured: it comes from the % vol on the label. Still and sparkling wines: under 11% = 1, up to 12.4% = 2, up to 13.4% = 3, up to 14.4% = 4, 14.5% or more = 5. Fortified wines (Port, Madeira…) have their own scale: under 16.5% = 2, up to 18.4% = 3, up to 19.9% = 4, 20% or more = 5.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 2Light fortified: under 16.5% vol
  2. 3Medium fortified: 16.5–18.4% vol This wine
  3. 4High fortified: 18.5–19.9% vol
  4. 5Very high fortified: 20% vol or more

In practice, for this wine

Good with desserts, cheese and nuts; small glass.

Critics & awards

Serve & enjoy

Temperature 10–12 °CFridge 2 h · take it out 10 min before serving
GlassPort / dessert glass

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Pairings, alternatives and advice in seconds

Description

The Horácio Simões Moscatel Costa a Costa e Testemunha pack is made up of two 2010 wines: Costa a Costa, which spent 5 long years travelling by boat, exposed to the motion of the sea and harsh temperatures, and the one that always stayed in the cellar for comparison, Testemunha ("Witness"). They show floral aromas, spice and evolution. On the palate they're round, very smooth and fresh, with a very long finish. Compare them both… it's a great exercise! May throw a deposit over the years.

What to serve with this wine

Dishes calculated from this wine’s profile, grapes and region.