NEW YORK, N.Y., April 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gentle spring temperatures invite indulgence in lighter fare that calls for fresh, vibrant wines, a style exemplified by the wines of Aveleda S.A. Cool, casual and elegant, these classic Portuguese wines, traditionally crafted with passion, are bright and refreshing, with pure, delicate fruit, moderate alcohol and a touch of spritz.
With the arrival of the 2013 vintages, Aveleda S.A.'s campaign this year will expand brand awareness across 43 states where its portfolio is distributed. Social media content will be created to garner more consumer attention for Aveleda's Facebook page. This custom designed content will educate and inform US consumers about these fantastic wines from Northern Portugal.
Having experience spanning nearly 150 years in wine production (beginning in the Vinho Verdes region and later expanding to Douro and Bairrada region), Aveleda S.A. has become one of Portugal's most important wine producers, with exports to 70 markets worldwide.
Although it is Portugal's largest exporter of Vinho Verde, Aveleda S.A. remains a family owned firm since its founding in 1870, continually innovating with a respect for tradition.
Aveleda S.A.'s Five Brands
* Aveleda, the foundation brand, has scored over 90 points with critics such as Robert Parker, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine & Spirits
* Casal Garcia which is now celebrating its 75th year and is the number one selling Vinho-Verde worldwide
* Charamba, red wine from the Douro Region.
* Follies, red wines from the Bairrada Region.
* Grinalda Kosher, the first Vinho Verde Kosher.
A Long History
Established in 1870 by Manoel Pedro Guedes on an estate dating to the 1600s, Aveleda's first wines were followed in 1939 with Casal Garcia wines, named for a plot of vines in the Aveleda vineyard. The 1950s and 1960s saw enormous investments in technology and resources concurrent with an explosion in the company's global sales. Subsequent investment began in 1995, bringing Aveleda S.A. to a new level of innovation, efficiency and excellence. Since 2008, initiatives in sustainable agriculture, water conservation, bio-diversity and carbon sequestration have been implemented.
Initiative, passion, ethical treatment of the environment and attention to detail remain Aveleda S.A.'s central philosophy. These are all brought together to produce expressive wines of exceptional quality and value that appeal both to the novice and the knowledgeable drinker: true to their origins and varieties, finely balanced and approachable. Aveleda S.A. is positioned to open the door to the pleasures of Portugal's fine wines and appreciation of their own unique range of award-winning brands to a new generation of enthusiastic wine consumers worldwide.
Unique and Unforgettable Regions
The Vinho Verde region is situated in the northwest corner of Portugal. Facing the Atlantic Ocean and rising to the Serra do Marão Mountains in the east. The region is bordered by the Minho River on its northern border with Spain and the Douro River on the south. These influences create a cool, luxuriantly verdant amphitheater. With 5,200 acres of vineyards spread across its nine sub-appellations, Vinho Verde accounts for 15 percent of Portugal's wine production.
Though well-known for its fortified wines, the Douro produces a variety of table wines from unique, indigenous varieties rarely found outside Portugal. Vineyards for table wines are planted primarily to the west of the Marão range where climate, soil and topography are comparatively less arduous.
The Bairrada appellation is a small sub-region of the extensive Beira region, located slightly inland from the Atlantic coast on the region's western edge, well-known for the quality and ageing capacity of its wines.
Best known for its white wines, Vinho Verde is also produced in red, rosé and sparkling versions. Medium in alcohol, these wines are vivid, with refined yet expressive fruit flavors, subtle mineral and a bright, clean finish. The versatility of those wines can be appreciated as aperitifs or with sushi, seafood, fish, Italian cuisine, among others.
World Renowned Wines
Aveleda white wines, represented by Quinta da Aveleda, Aveleda Vinho Verde, Aveleda Alvarinho, Aveleda Douro and Aveleda Reserva da Família, are classic wines vinified from native white varieties specific to their regions of production:
Quinta da Aveleda 2013
a blend of Loureiro and Alvarinho grapes
produced from estate vines
Aveleda Vinho Verde 2013
a blend of Loureiro, Trajadura and Arinto grapes
DOC Vinho Verde
Aveleda Alvarinho 2013
100% Alvarhino
Aveleda Douro 2012
a blend of Gouveio, Malvasia and Moscatel grapes
DOC Douro
Aveleda Reserva da Família 2011
DOC Bairrada
Casal Garcia White, Rosé, Red, Sparkling White Medium-Dry and Sparkling Rosé Medium-
Dry are produced from blends of indigenous varieties:
Casal Garcia White (NV):
a blend of Trajadura, Loureiro, Arinto and Azal grapes
DOC Vinho Verde
Casal Garcia Rosé (NV)
a blend of Vinhão, Azal Tinto and Borraçal grapes
DOC Vinho Verde
Casal Garcia Sparkling White Medium-Dry (NV):
a blend of Loureiro and Arinto grapes
Casal Garcia Sparkling Rosé Medium-Dry (NV):
a blend of Vinhão, Borraçal and Azal Tinto grapes
Casal Garcia Red (NV):
a blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz grapes
Portuguese wines to enjoy throughout the warm months.
Please find more information about Aveleda and its brands below:
www.aveleda.pt / https://www.facebook.com/AveledaWines
www.casalgarcia.com/en/ https://www.facebook.com/casalgarcia
www.aveledaportugal.com/ www.facebook.com/AveledaPortugal
About Aveleda
Established in 1870, Aveleda is a family-owned winery with more than 140 years of winemaking tradition. Aveleda was awarded in 2011 the title of International Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine for the 11th time. Preserving its familial character, Aveleda has evolved and developed its winemaking by adapting to market demands and investing in new technologies at every step of the way. A short walk through the Quinta da Aveleda estate shows that the search for perfection and love for winemaking is a natural value for the Guedes family.
For media queries – imagery, samples, or interviews:
Nadea Mina, Media Manager, Sopexa US. nadea.mina@sopexa.com - 646-462-4277
Marie-Christina Batich, PR Manager, Sopexa US, marie-christina.batich@sopexa.com - 212-386-7416
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=24901
