AboutAntonio Rocha Graça Expertise Viticulture issues, enology / winemaking issues. Wine regions of the world, with specialisation in the wines of Portugal, including Port. Tasting and sensory analysis, chemical analysis and the relation between both. Wine industry and wine economics (BUT NOT PRICES OF WINES). Sources of information regarding any aspect of wine. The human element of the wine industry and the integration of all aspects and sciences that concur to make a wine. Terroir.
Experience I have been a winemaker for 20 years. I am also in charge of the R&D department of the largest wine company in Portugal.
Organizations Sogrape Vinhos S.A.
ADVID (Association for the Development of Viticulture in Douro)
Education/Credentials Degree in Enology - UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
HI there Antonio,
I have a green colored bottle of Mateus White, product of Portugal (white still wine. Label is beautiful with white swan in water. There is a little label around the neck of the bottle that states: produced, bottled and shipped bySOGRAPE- Soc.Com. dos Vinhos de Mesa de Portugal, S.A.R.L. (porto portugal) The back of the bottle is labeled stating: Dreyfus, Ashby %26 Co. (New York, NY), 750, Chill before serving. It appears to have a cork (unsure because it has a gold label over top and neck of bottle). I do not see a date. Can you tell me about this bottle and if it has any value please??? Thank you so much!
Answer Hi, yes, I can tell you something. This wine was and still is made by the company I work for. Judging from the labelling and the mint state it's in, I would say it should be from the 1970's. Dreyfus, Ashby & Co. was a very important partner of Sogrape and participated in creating the popularity it enjoyed in the USA. The partnership began in 1956 and lasted more than 20 years. It's funny that the first time Mr. Dreyfus met Sogrape's owner, Fernando VanZeller Guedes, he only gave him 5 minutes to showcase his wines. With a broad smile, Mr. Guedes, told him «Well, then, it was a pleasure to meet you, but if you only concede me 5 minutes, my education does not allow for more than greeting you. Have a nice day!». A lasting friendship was then created.
The wine should be way past its drinking time, probably too oxidized and old. It shouldn't harm you if you want to try the taste of a 30 year-old white portuguese wine, but I don't advise you to do it given the perfect condition of the bottle. I am not the right person to tell you about its value. Commercially it's not worth anymore than a new bottle of the same brand, i.e.around 4 to 4 US$.
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