🥃 Aguardente de Vinho Ribatejo

Aguardente de Vinho Ribatejo is an EU-protected geographical name for a wine spirit from the valley of the Tagus in central Portugal. It is distilled from local wine within the region by the end of April, aged there in oak barrels of up to 800 L for at least 12 months and sold at 37.5% ABV or more.

In the EU register the name is listed from 12 June 1989. The technical file was submitted by the Tejo Regional Wine Commission (CVR Tejo), which also supervises and certifies the producers. «Ribatejo» means «banks of the Tagus». The zone has six subregions: Almeirim, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Coruche, Santarém and Tomar.

The wine is made without sulphur dioxide. It is distilled either continuously in a copper column or in batches in a copper pot still heated by open flame. Ageing takes place only in the region. The spirit must be clear, distinctly topaz in colour, with an ethereal aroma and clear wood notes, and soft on the finish.

Age statements depend on the average time in oak: «Old» or «Reserve» from 2 years, «Very Old» from 3, VSOP from 4, XO from 6 years. The technical file describes a temperate climate: an average temperature of 15.5–16.5 °C, about 2 800 hours of sunshine and 750 mm of rain a year. Spirits have been made here since the early twentieth century.

Why this matters to you. Even without an age statement, this spirit has spent at least a year in oak. VSOP and XO here mean 4 and 6 years — not the periods used for cognac, so compare by the rules of the name itself. WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.