This special Moscatel de Setúbal was treated with the utmost care during production. The best grapes were selected, resulting in a wine with deeper colors, great complexity, and considerable volume on the palate, where elegance and softness are the fundamental characteristics of this delicious dessert wine. Recognized as a D.O.C. in 1907.
 
Alambre is the name of the estate where José Maria da Fonseca planted the first vines of the Moscatel grape, and also refers to the amber color of the wine. Alambre is a prestigious brand, both in Portugal and abroad.
 
Food pairing

This special Moscatel de Setúbal was treated with the utmost care during production. The best grapes were selected, resulting in a wine with deeper colors, great complexity, and considerable volume on the palate, where elegance and softness are the fundamental characteristics of this delicious dessert wine. Recognized as a D.O.C. in 1907.

 

Alambre is the name of the estate where José Maria da Fonseca planted the first vines of the Moscatel grape, and also refers to the amber color of the wine. Alambre is a prestigious brand, both in Portugal and abroad.

 

Food pairing

Delicious with a fruit sabayon or a fresh fruit salad, all kinds of tarts and cakes with fresh fruit and fruit compotes; also tasty with pancakes with vanilla sauce and desserts based on hazelnuts and almonds.

Grapes: Moscatel de Setúbal (Muscat of Alexandria) - aged for 20 years in French oak barrels

In Setúbal, we know the Moscatel de Setúbal or Moscatel Branco (Muscat d’Alexandria), the Moscatel Roxo (the blue variety), and the Moscatel de Douro (smaller and less blue). It likely originates from Turkey, from where the grape was brought to Europe by the Romans. The grapes are planted around the Mediterranean and are used as table grapes and for wine production. A full and very sweet flavor generally characterizes the wines in which many of these grapes are used. Such wines include the Muscat de Rivesaltes from Southern France and the Moscatel wines from Spain and Portugal. This variety is also used in other countries around the Mediterranean and in the new wine countries of Australia, California, and South Africa. It is used less frequently in Egyptian viticulture, but all the more as a table grape. The Muscat of Alexandria is also known by other names, including: Hanepoot (African), Muscat of Alexandria (English), Muscat d'Alexandrie, Muscat Romain (French), Zibibbo (Italian), Moscatel de Setúbal (Portuguese), Moscatel Gordo Blanco, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de Málaga (Spanish) and Iskendiriye Misketi (Turkey).

Alcoholcontent

18,4 %vol

pH: 3,34

Store & Serve

Served as a dessert wine at 16ºC

Critics & Awards

95/100 - Decanter World Wine Awards Tasted: 01-Jan-2016

94/100 - Wine Enthusiast Tasted: 11-Jan-2008

93/100 - Jamie Goode Tasted: 02-Jan-1990

92/100 - Grand Fortified Wines Tasting, Tim Atkin

91/100 - CellarTracker (13 notes)

18,5/20 - Revista de Vinhos Tasted: 12-Mar-2014

Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards, 2016

Gold - XIII Edition Concurso de Vinhos da Península de Setúbal 2013

Gold - XIII Edition Concurso de Vinhos da Península de Setúbal 2011

Gold - XIII Edition Concurso de Vinhos da Península de Setúbal 2010

Gold - Vinordic Wine Challenge Prize 2010

Best Value - Vinordic Wine Challenge Prize 2010

Winemaker

Domingos Soares Franco, winemaker and vice-president, is the younger of the two representatives of the sixth generation of the family managing José Maria da Fonseca.

He studied in Davis, California, and began working at José Maria da Fonseca in the 1980s. Since then, he has introduced a number of changes to wine production and became one of the most innovative new generation winemakers in Portugal.

Producer: José Maria Da Fonseca

Region: Península de Setúbal