#0420: Daughters of Madness 2021
・Wine Name: Daughters of Madness 2021
・Producer: Daughters of Madness(Joana & Luke Schomer)
・Grape Varieties: a blend of several grapes
・Region: Lisbon, Portugal
Daughters of Madness, located in the Lisbon region, benefits from the rich winemaking heritage and diverse viticultural landscape of this area. Lisbon, or Lisboa as it's locally known, has a long and storied history in wine production, which has evolved significantly over the years.
Lisbon's wine industry is deeply rooted in Portugal's overall winemaking tradition, which dates back centuries. Historically, Portugal has been renowned for its fortified wines like Port and Madeira. However, the Lisbon region itself has always played a crucial role in the production of still wines. The region's winemaking dates back to Roman times, and it continued to develop through the Middle Ages, significantly contributing to Portugal’s wine culture.
Lisbon is one of the most productive wine regions in Portugal, known for its large cooperatives as well as a growing number of boutique wineries like Daughters of Madness. The region produces a wide range of wine styles. The region is also known for its innovative approaches to winemaking. This creativity is helping to put Lisbon on the map as a region for unique and exciting wines.
In recent decades, Lisbon's wine industry has undergone significant modernization. Improvements in viticulture and winemaking techniques, coupled with a renewed focus on quality, have elevated the reputation of Lisbon wines on the international stage. The region has embraced both traditional methods and contemporary innovations, ensuring a dynamic and forward-thinking wine culture.
Daughters of Madness is a family-owned winery founded by American Luke and Portuguese Joana, with the entire project serving as a tribute to their three daughters.
After graduating from a University in the United States, Luke embarked on a career as a journeyman in the beverage industry, honing his skills in wine, beer and cider. Joana, with her background in art and design, contributes by organizing and creating all visual content, including bottle labels. This collaborative effort between Luke and Joana reflects their shared passion for winemaking and their dedication to their family.
Daughters of Madness also takes an innovative approach to cider making, blending traditional techniques with modern creativity.
One standout example of their innovative approach is their fusion-style cider. This creation involves a careful blend of hard cider with a small amount of dry natural red wine. The cider is aged on whole berry fruit with French oak staves for six months in a stainless steel tank. The result is a cider that carries the characteristics of a young, soft-bodied, fruity red wine, with notes of red raspberry and a slight creaminess from the oak.
Daughters of Madness emphasizes natural processes and minimal intervention, allowing their products to develop their unique flavors and character. They aim to produce ciders that reflect the terroir of Portugal while pushing the boundaries of flavor and creativity.
About their wine: Daughters of Madness, with its focus on natural wines and small-lot production, represents the modern, artisanal side of Lisbon's wine industry. By sourcing high-quality grapes from respected vineyard owners in and around Cadaval, they contribute to the region's reputation for producing distinctive and high-quality wines.
In Luke's winemaking approach, he adopts a "melting pot" methodology, which entails a fusion of various techniques and influences to create unique and diverse products. This approach reflects an openness to experimentation and a willingness to incorporate different winemaking traditions and practices.
One example of this approach is evident in the production of a Curtimenta style amphora-aged white wine. Curtimenta is an ancient winemaking technique that involves fermenting grapes with their skins and stems in clay amphorae. This method imparts distinct flavors and textures to the wine, resulting in a complex and characterful final product.
By employing a "melting pot" approach, Luke and his team at Daughters of Madness embrace innovation while honoring traditional winemaking methods. They aim to produce wines that not only reflect the terroir of Portugal but also push the boundaries of creativity and flavor expression in the world of wine, and their hope is that one of the 3 daughters will enjoy the process so much that they eventually join the team and carry on the spirit of the company into the future.
Tasting note
Enticing nose with notes of apricot, red cherries, cassis, peony and some clay mineral.
On the palate, it is dry, medium bodied with bright acidity and slightly grippy tannins.
Lingering aftertaste of balanced sweet and sour red fruits and a touch of earthiness.
A delicate rosé with a pleasant acidity and red fruit notes, and would also pair well with many dishes.