Celebrating the King of Baga, Luís Pato

Luís Pato is regarded as an icon in the Portuguese winemaking world. Fortunately, I was able to meet him during International Baga Day. I had come to Portugal to be part of #Winelover's participation in  International Baga Day, which was held on May 6, 2023 throughout the Bairrada wine region. Baga deserves celebration because it is one of the most versatile Portuguese black grape varieties. Its great versatility lends to it being used to create white, rosé and red sparkling wines, light and fruity red wines, and also powerful and age-worthy red wines. Bairrada wineries held events to celebrate International Baga Day. On that day we visited three wineries (Quinta Da Vacariça, Quinta das Bágeiras, and  Luís Pato Wines), and attended an evening celebration. This post celebrates our very special visit with Luís Pato.

Thank You Luís Pato  © Spaswinefood

Welcome to Bairrada 

The Bairrada wine region, is in the center of Portugal, located in the Beira Litoral, between Aveiro and Coimbra. A relatively flat region, which stretches inwards from the coastline. It has an Atlantic climate, with mild and rainy winters, and summers cooled by the winds off the Atlantic. While Baga’s origin is most likely the Dão region, the Bairrada, with its well-drained, chalky-clay soils, is where Baga has gained popularity.

It is a wine region with a long tradition of wine making. Wine production here dates back to the 10th century however, transition to quality winemaking began in the 19th century, with the creation of sparkling wine in the 1890’s. It was one of the first Portuguese regions to make sparkling wine. Today Bairrada is considered the most important region for the production of sparkling wine. The climate and its clay-limestone and sandy soils are ideal the growing of grapes with high acidity and low alcohol, which is perfect for the production of sparkling wines. As I have already noted, the region's predominant grape, Baga, thrives here where sparkling, white, rosé, and red wines are made from this versatile grape variety. Clearly, Baga deserves celebration. 

Celebrating Baga Day with Luís Pato 

Our final stop was the winery of Luís Pato in Amoreira da Gândara, Anadia. The Pato family's Quinta do Ribeirinho has existed since the eighteen century. When João Pato started to produce wine in 1970, he became the first winegrower in Bairrada region. His son, Luís, who inherited a nonconformist and pioneer spirit, produced his first Baga wine in 1980. He would go onto reinventing the region and its grape varieties. His wines are now exported to more than 50 countries, making the wine lists at top wine bars, and Michelin starred restaurants. In recent years his three daughters has joined the winery team.

Celebrating Luís Pato Wines © Spaswinefood

Before the wine tasting Karin Luize de Carvalho, on behalf of #winelovers, presented Luís Pato with a certificate of appreciation. We were happy to spend time with one of the most innovative and best known winemakers in Portugal. He has promoted Portuguese wines both at home and abroad. He has also assumed leadership in the Portuguese wine community in such roles as, Vice President of Wines of Portugal. Many refer to him as the King of Baga.

We were welcomed with a sparkling wine from a single vineyard, Vinha Pan.

Luís Pato Wines © Spaswinefood

Our visit was filled with wonderful wine conversations centered on the wines Luís Pato shared with us. That day we tasted the wines made by Luís Pato and his daughter, Filipa Pato. They are two different generations of winemakers with two different approaches.

There was an impressive lineup of wines. 

Tasting Luís Pato Wines © Spaswinefood

Amongst the wines we tasted included:

Luís Pato, Vinha Pan Bruto, Barrada DOC 2018 

Luís Pato, Vinha Pan Bruto, Barrada DOC 2018 © Spaswinefood

Luis Pato, Vinha Pan Bruto, Bairrada DOC 2018 (back label) © Spaswinefood

After a fantastic sparkling wine there were some amazing white wines poured.

Luís Pato, Parcela Candido Vinho Branco, Bairrada DOC 2021 

Luís Pato, Parcela Candido Vinho Branco (Cercial), Bairrada DOC 2021 © Spaswinefood

Cercial, a Portuguese grape, is important to the wine communities like Bairrada because it maintains a high level of acidity, even under hot growing conditions.

Luís Pato, Vinhas Velhas Branco, Bairrada DOC 1990 

Luís Pato, Vinhas Vehlas Branco, Bairrada DOC 1990 © Spaswinefood

This is indeed a fantastic wine. Vinhas Velhas Branco is a white wine blend produced from old vines of traditional white grape varieties of Bairrada, such as Bical, Cercial, and Maria Gomes.

Luís Pato, Vinhas Vehlas Branco © Spaswinefood

A Closer Look: Luís Pato, Vinhas Vehlas Branco © Spaswinefood

Then of course there were more special wines to taste, such the following three 2008 wines:

Luís Pato, Vinha Pan, Vinho Regional Beiras 2008

Luís Pato, Vinha Barrio, Vinho Regional Beiras 2008

Luís Pato, Vinha Barrosa, Vinho Regional Beiras 2008

Luís Pato, Vinha Pan, Vinho Regional Beiras 2008 © Spaswinefood

I was so lucky to taste these very special 2008 wines at the winery.

For sure, for me, celebrating International Baga Day with Luís Pato was extra special. 

Luís Pato Wines © Spaswinefood

NOTE: Just case you have not noticed the duck on Luís Pato's wines, Pato in Portuguese means duck.

Thank You Bairrada Friends

Spring time in Portugal’s Bairrada wine region is a perfect time to celebrate Baga. Baga deserves celebration because its great versatility lends to it being used to create white, rosé and red sparkling wines, light and fruity red wines, and also powerful and age-worthy red wines. Moreover, all the above mentioned styles of this wine thrive in Bairrada. We ended International Baga Day 2023 over dinner hosted by all seven producers at Rei dos Leitões.

Celebrating International Baga Day, Bairrada © Spaswinefood

Celebrating International Baga Day with Wines of Course © Spaswinefood

Over dinner we tasted Baga wines while sampling small bites of local foods. Bairrada wines pair well with the gastronomic specialties of this region, such as the suckling pig, the fresh fish dishes and seafood, and as well as the finest conventual sweets.

International Baga Day © Spaswinefood

Yes, there were Luís Pato wines that evening (Note: bottle on the left). 

If you have yet to discover Bairrada then you should. Visitors will find the Bairrada wine region offers many charming areas to explore. After I arrived in Lisbon it was off to Luso to meetup with #winelover friends. While in the Bairrada our #winelover group stayed at the Grande Hotel de Luso. Luso is a spa town. Later, I would visit Aveiro and Coimbra areas, giving me a better appreciation for the overall area.

View from Grande Hotel de Luso © Spaswinefood

I had come to Bairrada to celebrate Baga with #winelover friends. Celebrating International Baga Day 2023 with Luís Pato was priceless. I was beyond delighted to meet Bairrada's wine producers, and to discover Baga and other wines from this region (white and red wines made from other traditional and international grape varieties). Special thanks to Karin Luize de Carvalho and Ana Sofia de Oliveira who organized an outstanding #winelover program. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Portugal and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in Portugal. 

CHEERS!

Sharon 

May 2023

Luso, Portugal 

© Spaswinefood

International Baga Day #spaswinefood travels in Portugal Lisbon to Luso for #winelover