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By Luís Serra, co-founder of Ra-Ro · View profile
About 3 min read
At first I thought aguardente was the glass at the end of a meal and not much more. A habit from another generation. Then I realised the point was something else: aguardente is one of the few things you simply can't speed up.
Aguardente DOC Lourinhã is a wine brandy produced by the Adega Cooperativa da Lourinhã, in the Lourinhã Demarcated Region, and aged in casks of French oak, Portuguese oak and chestnut. The Adega offers it in two expressions: the Matriz and the Clássica.
What is a DOC wine brandy?
A wine brandy (aguardente vínica) is a spirit distilled from wine and then aged in wood. The DOC label guarantees it was produced in a demarcated region, under that region's rules. In Lourinhã's case, the demarcated region exists precisely for brandy, which makes it rare in the country.
The Matriz: the way in
The Matriz is a young XO brandy. On the nose come citrus notes, then vanilla, and the wood of the casks gives it a long, lingering finish. In practice, it's the right bottle for introducing DOC Lourinhã to someone who has never tried it. Drink it neat after dinner, or it can go into a cocktail, as long as someone experienced is making it.
The Clássica: the one that asks for time
The Clássica is another story. This 32nd Series is a limited edition of 8,000 bottles, aged in casks between 10 and 28 years old, of French Limousin oak, Portuguese oak and chestnut. On the nose there's wood, vanilla and dried fruit. Serve it between 18 and 20 °C, in a balloon glass. It goes with desserts, dark chocolate or nuts, but the best use really is the simplest: sip it slowly, at night.
In 2025 it won Great Gold at the Virtus International Awards, the Grande Tambuladeira de Ouro for Best Aguardente at the 6th Concurso de Vinhos Escanções de Portugal, and the Grand Gold Medal at the Concurso dos Vinhos de Lisboa.
Matriz or Clássica: how to choose
- If you're just starting out: the Matriz, for the freshness of its citrus notes and its versatility.
- As a gift: the Clássica, a limited edition numbered by series, with recent awards.
- For cocktails: the Matriz, in experienced hands.
- For an unhurried evening: the Clássica, in a balloon glass, between 18 and 20 °C.
In practice, the difference between the two is time. The Matriz shows the character of the region. The Clássica shows what happens to that character after decades in wood.
Why this matters
Casks between 10 and 28 years old. There's no possible shortcut. At a time when almost everything gets optimised, aguardente still depends on time and on the people who respect it. At the Adega Cooperativa da Lourinhã, it's the work of generations of local growers.
For me, the conclusion is practical. If you've never tried a DOC Lourinhã, start with the Matriz. If you already know what you're in for, the Clássica deserves an unhurried evening.
Frequently asked questions
What is Aguardente DOC Lourinhã?
It's a wine brandy produced in the Lourinhã Demarcated Region and aged in wood. Lourinhã is one of the few demarcated regions dedicated to brandy.
What is the difference between the Matriz and the Clássica?
The Matriz is a young XO, fresh and versatile, good for discovering DOC Lourinhã. The Clássica 32nd Series is a limited edition aged in casks between 10 and 28 years old, denser and more complex.
What woods is it aged in?
In casks of French oak, Portuguese oak and chestnut. The Clássica uses French Limousin oak.
How should Aguardente Lourinhã Clássica be served?
Between 18 and 20 °C, in a balloon glass. It can accompany desserts, dark chocolate or nuts.
What awards has the Clássica won?
In 2025: Great Gold at the Virtus International Awards, the Grande Tambuladeira de Ouro for Best Aguardente at the 6th Concurso de Vinhos Escanções de Portugal, and the Grand Gold Medal at the Concurso dos Vinhos de Lisboa.
