FAZENDA Rodizio Bar and Grill in Spinningfields has one of the city’s most impressive wine lists – testimony to the enthusiasm of director Tomas Maunier. Now they have pulled off a coup by listing a 129-year-old Port from one of Portugal’s most distinguished producers
The Quinta do Vallado ABF, bottled in 2016 to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Douro Valley estate, sounds an astonishing tipple but don’t take our word for it. Wine guru Jamie Goode described it as: “complex and intense with cedar, spice, treacle, raisin and herb notes, with some mint and coffee notes, too. Very sweet but with amazing acidity and depth, and a savoury salty edge. So complex with freshness and a very long finish. Astonishingly intense and really beautiful. Profound.”
Such a treasure doesn’t come cheap. Limited production means only 30 bottles have made it to the UK. You can purchase a whole bottle in Fazenda for £3,000 (pre-order only). By the glass it works out at £120 for 25ml glass and £240 for 50l.
If the 1888 is beyond your price range, there is an array of more affordable, younger Vallado Ports, including 10, 20 and 30-year-old tawny ports as well as the Reserva Tinto table wine, made with grapes from 80-year-old vines and pressed by the traditional technique of foot treading.
Tomas Maunier told us: “Fazenda is all about a quality experience, so carefully chosen, exquisite wines are really important to us. We are honoured to have been approached by Quinta do Vallado to house the extremely rare 129-year-old port and given the opportunity to bring something truly special to our diners.”
Fazenda suggest you put any prejudices about fortified wines aside and sample the Ports alongside the grilled meats carved right onto diner’s plates by ‘passadores’ for the full gaucho experience. To sample Fazenda’s wine list and 15 different cuts of meats, visit www.fazenda.co.uk or call 0161 834 1219 to book.
Fazenda, The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF.