Hello
Is there any difference between Harvest and Colheita wines? It seems that they started out as separate entities with within MWC, but after reading here:
http://www.madeirawineguide.com/2006/06 ... ine_1.html
Harvest/Single Harvest = Vintage With about 5 to 10 Years In Cask
Colheita = Vintage With About 6 to 10 Years In Cask (Originally 12 to 18 Years)
It seems that they have more or less been merged? A quick review of some producer websites, and not many have separate listings for each style.
Although Trevor Elliott (2010) makes a clear distinction between the two.
I am studying for an upcoming WSET exam so I am just trying to get the facts straight.
Thank you
Harvest and Colheita
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Goncalo Martins
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:54 am
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Re: Harvest and Colheita
Hi Scott,
At least currently, there is no distinction between "Colheita" and "Harvest", the latter being the English translation of the former.
I have double-checked this on the IVBAM website.
At least currently, there is no distinction between "Colheita" and "Harvest", the latter being the English translation of the former.
I have double-checked this on the IVBAM website.
Re: Harvest and Colheita
Hello,
Thank you for the confirmation.
I am aware of the Portuguese/English translation, which is why I thought it strange that two separate types of wine would be created using essentially the same name, but it would seem that this was originally the case. Perhaps logic prevailed?
Blandy continues to list both "styles" separately on their website, they have a 2001 Harvest Malmsey and a 2001 Colheita Sercial.
Thank you for the confirmation.
I am aware of the Portuguese/English translation, which is why I thought it strange that two separate types of wine would be created using essentially the same name, but it would seem that this was originally the case. Perhaps logic prevailed?
Blandy continues to list both "styles" separately on their website, they have a 2001 Harvest Malmsey and a 2001 Colheita Sercial.
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Goncalo Martins
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:54 am
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Re: Harvest and Colheita
Hi Scott
As far as Blandy is concerned I think that it is just a marketing issue, as there is no "Harvest" category in the regulations, but it could be worth investigating.
I have looked into the Madeira wine regulations and I can confirm that since 2000 all Colheitas may only be sold after ageing at least until 31 October of the 5th year following the date of the harvest.
Before 2000, only colheitas of the noble varieties (Sercial, Verdelho, Terrantez, Boal and Malvazia) could bear the name "Colheita" and all had to age at least five years in cask before bottling, with the exception of Sercial, which had to age a minimum of seven years.
With the new regulation dated October 2000, the five year minimum aging is applicable to all varieties, and it became possible for "Colheitas" to be made of approved varieties other than the above-mentioned noble varieties.
Therefore, now you have:
(i) single variety "Colheitas", which are 100 per cent. made of a single noble variety; and
(ii) other "Colheitas" which may be made of other (non-noble) approved varieties, such as Tinta Negra Mole, which must bear the category of dry, medium-dry, medium-sweet or sweet - an example of the latter are the beatiful Colheitas of Barbeito, made of Tinta Negra Mole (is anyone aware of other examples?),
all of which must age at least 5 years.
I hope this clarifies the issue.
As far as Blandy is concerned I think that it is just a marketing issue, as there is no "Harvest" category in the regulations, but it could be worth investigating.
I have looked into the Madeira wine regulations and I can confirm that since 2000 all Colheitas may only be sold after ageing at least until 31 October of the 5th year following the date of the harvest.
Before 2000, only colheitas of the noble varieties (Sercial, Verdelho, Terrantez, Boal and Malvazia) could bear the name "Colheita" and all had to age at least five years in cask before bottling, with the exception of Sercial, which had to age a minimum of seven years.
With the new regulation dated October 2000, the five year minimum aging is applicable to all varieties, and it became possible for "Colheitas" to be made of approved varieties other than the above-mentioned noble varieties.
Therefore, now you have:
(i) single variety "Colheitas", which are 100 per cent. made of a single noble variety; and
(ii) other "Colheitas" which may be made of other (non-noble) approved varieties, such as Tinta Negra Mole, which must bear the category of dry, medium-dry, medium-sweet or sweet - an example of the latter are the beatiful Colheitas of Barbeito, made of Tinta Negra Mole (is anyone aware of other examples?),
all of which must age at least 5 years.
I hope this clarifies the issue.
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Eric Ifune
- Posts: 3525
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:02 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America - USA
Re: Harvest and Colheita
Justino's Colheitas without variety are Tinta Negra.
There is legislation pending which would allow Tinta Negra on the label, but it's been held up for several years due to political constraints.
There is legislation pending which would allow Tinta Negra on the label, but it's been held up for several years due to political constraints.