WINES Chardonnay (dry, un-oaked) Gamay-noir (medium dry, un-oaked) Rose (dry, un-oaked) Dessert Wines Strawberry Chardonnay Wildberry Gamay
SPIRITS Bagaco Angelica Orange Brandy PEI Apple Brandy Annisette
“U sually by early October Jaime starts to check the sugar levels on the grapes,” says Heather Matos. The Chardonnay and Gamay Noir grapes are picked at different times, once the acidity in the grapes has been transferred into fructose. “We grow our own grapes and harvest them at the end of October and some years into early November,” says Heather Matos. “All the grapes are harvested and the whole process is done right on site at the winery.” The white grapes are de-stemmed, then transferred to a crusher, followed by a press. The press extracts the juice without breaking the skin or damaging the seed. Finally, the juice is transferred into a fermenting tank. The process is similar with the red grapes, but the juice, along with the skins, go into the fermenting tank to give the wine more colour and body.
“Once he gets the colour, aroma and body, he presses the skins and separates the juice from the pomace,” says Heather Matos. “Nothing is thrown out. The juice goes back into the tank and the skins and pomace are used to make our Bagaco and other spirits.” In addition to the award-winning wine, Heather and Jaime also produce a unique selection of spirits. “Some of these are family recipes passed down from Jaime’s family that he was taught to make as a young boy in Pico, Azores,” she says. They make Anisette, PEI Apple Brandy, Orange Liqueur, Angelica and Bagaco. “For the Anisette we grow our own fennel and dry in the fall and early winter to place in the bottle, which gives it that unique look,” says Heather Matos. Their Bagaco, similar to an Italian grappa, is the base for
several of the liqueurs. Most of these products are best sipped chilled or at room temperature. She says, “Drink what makes you happy, but the true Portuguese way is to just enjoy it straight.” However you decide to enjoy the wines and spirits made at Matos Winery, you will appreciate the labor of love that went into producing them. “Jaime’s passion and love of what he does shine through,” says Heather Matos, “and we have always believed that quality comes first.”
Matos Winery & Distillery 3156 West River Road., Rte 9, St. Catherines 902.675.9463 heather@MatosWinery.com www.MatosWinery.com
WINTER 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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