Courage for quality: Rita Ferreira Marques and her wine project
Portugal's young star, Rita Ferreira Marques, took over her family's land in the Teja Valley in the 1990s and introduced new methods to winemaking.
While a student at the University of Bordeaux, she also worked as a "flying winemaker" in South Africa, California, and New Zealand. This meant that Marques worked as an oenologist for several wineries and therefore frequently flew between them.
Learning her craft in different countries outside of Portugal has helped her bring cultivation into different contexts. During her time abroad, she has seen and experienced everything from large factories where machines do most of the work to hand-picking in smaller wineries.
In addition to these numerous experiences, her apprenticeship with Dirk van der Niepoort was particularly influential. The Dutchman has a penchant for Portuguese white wines with complexity and spice, which is also reflected in the Conceito wines today.
In 2005, Marques finally decided to venture out on her own and establish her own name, opening the Conceito Winery . She was the first in the family to stop selling the grapes planted by her ancestors along the Douro exclusively to major port wine houses and instead keep the best to make her own quality wines: fine and elegant wines with plenty of freshness and minerality.
Even back then, her credo was: away from mass production and toward individual class. This garnered her a great deal of criticism. But after her resounding success – her outstanding quality wines are popular worldwide and have won international awards – she is now also celebrated at home in Portugal.
In between, she even returned to New Zealand to produce her Conceito Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region in a classic European style.
Conceito Vinho: Quality wine with a concept
The name Conceito Vinho means concept wine and stands for Marques’ quality-conscious project.
On the winery's 70 hectares of vineyards, planted with Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela , etc., the climatic conditions are rather cool – unlike further down the Douro.
The winery is divided into four vineyards:
- Quinta da Veiga (20 hectares),
- Quinta do Chão-do-Pereiro (20 hectares),
- Quinta do Cabido (23 hectares)
- and a 10-hectare vineyard with granite soil, planted exclusively with white wines.
Each vineyard is characterized by a special microclimate.
The deep understanding of the region and its particularities are the foundation for the project that inspired Conceito Vinho.
The harvest is done by hand, allowing the first selection to take place directly at the time of harvest. The vineyards are cultivated without the use of chemicals and are very close to nature. The stated goal is to create wines with a good balance between terroir and freshness.
As the region's wines have grown in popularity, so has the number of investors active in the region. This has led to an expansion of the wine-growing area, which has also led to the revitalization of forgotten villages in the Teja Valley.
Conceito offers a wide range of wines, including white, red, rosé, Bastardo, Porto Tawny, and Porto Vintage. The young winery produces 120,000 bottles of wine annually in Portugal, 25,000 in New Zealand, and 5,000 in South Africa. This makes Rita one of the most dynamic young producers in Portugal. 98% of its production is exported to more than 20 countries, including Brazil, Switzerland, Canada, and Norway.
In just a few years, Conceito Vinho has developed into a winery with an aura of quality and individuality that is recognized, sought after and appreciated by consumers all over the world.
The Conceito wines – Marques’ wine repertoire
The Contraste Tinto
The Contraste Tinto has a seductive bouquet of blackberries and mulberries. Enriched with delicate balsamic notes, it boasts a refreshing acidity with plenty of fruit and a hint of licorice.
It goes particularly well with cheese, salami , grilled meat and fatty fish such as sardines and tuna.
Contrast White
The Contraste Branco impresses with an intense tropical and lemony bouquet, a full body, and an exceptional lightness. The wine exudes a mineral freshness that one wouldn't normally associate with such a southern wine country as Portugal.
It goes well with fish, seafood and sushi.
Conceito Tinto
This red wine features earthy spice notes and aromas of small berries and pepper. Conceito Tinto is characterized by its "classic Douro character." It is elegant, smoky, with full structure and freshness, and pairs particularly well with game dishes and duck.
Conceito Branco
The wine initially surprises with its fine mineral structure in aroma and flavor. The Conceito Branco is clear and brisk like a rushing mountain stream, yet its power makes it seem both refined and unbridled. Aging in small barriques lends it additional power, smoothness, and structure.
It goes well with fish and seafood, as well as with risotto, veal and chicken.
Conceito Bastardo
Conceito Bastardo is made from the Bastardo grape, which is characterized by its strikingly light color. This grape was very popular until the 18th century, but then fell into obscurity as particularly deep red wines enjoyed greater popularity.
In the meantime, however, young Portuguese winemakers have rediscovered this grape and we can now enjoy the warm notes of herbs and cherries that this wine brings out so beautifully.
Legitimate Concept
This wine reflects the Douro region's ancient roots in a light and seductive way. Conceito Legítimo is a wine of joy: friendly, intense and profound, velvety and with a long finish.
A perfect companion at the table. It pairs well with cheese, pasta, pizza, and salami.
Tawny Port 10 Years
The sweet taste of caramelized walnuts blends with cotton candy and dried fruits. The earthy notes and aromas of ripe figs blend in the mouth to create a perfect symbiosis.
The subtle but lasting sweetness in the finish makes this Tawny Port 10 years the perfect accompaniment to a cheese platter or powerful desserts.
Conceito vinified in New Zealand and South Africa
After Marques's internships abroad, she decided to return to New Zealand and South Africa. There, she wanted to revive the classic European style of winemaking, which people on the other side of the world were less familiar with.
Conceito Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
The Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand's largest wine region, is particularly impressive due to its intense aromas and outstanding quality, for which the Sauvignon Blanc from the region is known.
The aromas of gooseberry, herbs and green fruits are very cool and juicy on the palate, almost tart and with a crisp minerality.
Conceito Breedekloof South Africa red
This cuvée of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was produced by Portuguese winemaker Rita Marques in South Africa.
After months of maturation in French oak barrels, the delicate roasted aromas of this classic Bordeaux grape variety emerge with a particularly velvety finish. Aromas of dark chocolate and ripe plums make this red a palate pleaser with character.
Another interesting article about Rita appeared in Wine Enthusiast .
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