DThe 2nd edition of the Brancos na Praça event took place a week ago, which took place in Murça. With the support and great commitment of the local council, it was possible to bring together local producers and others who, although not based in Murça, source their grapes there for their DOC Douro whites. Historically speaking, the region has always been an area dedicated to producing white grapes, benefiting from the (moderate) altitude it has and which generates wines with higher natural acidity and great freshness. Therefore, one may question the reason for this recent interest in these grapes, if it has always been an area to produce white wines. If we go back in time a little, everything makes more sense. Until, say, the mid-80s and early 90s of the last century, the region produced grapes mainly for white Port, a range that was little considered: a lot was produced, white Port was drunk It was used as an aperitif (since Taylor’s launched Chip Dry in 1934), but it wasn’t much more than an ordinary wine. The legislation did not contemplate – as it now does – the possibility of making a white Port with an indication of age (10, 20, 30 and 40 years) or Harvest. The production of still white wines in the Douro itself was not significant, apart from the brands of Real Vinícola, Real Companhia Velha, Sogrape and white wines from some cooperatives and were not a reference for quality.
