Nivedita Bhalla
In house curator (WSCI) Wine & Spirits Club of India
If you’re tired of giving your friend a bottle of
sparkling wine to warm up at home, I have the
perfect recipe: slushy, fruity and slightly
carbonated, with pineapple and passion fruit
notes.
The Gatao white wine is a semi-dry variety
produced in Portugal’s vinho verde region. A
special combination of grapes defines the flavor
of the wine: Azal, which has a crisp, tart taste
because it is very acidic; Pedernã, which is also
called Arinto, is the most important type of grape
because it makes the wine taste fresh and like it
has minerals; Loureiro is a grape that is often
compared to Riesling because it smells like
flowers and citrus. It makes the wine taste richer
and like it has a bitter almond note; Trajadura is
usually used in blends to give the wine a richer
texture and smells like pear and citrus. In 2013,
the Decanter World Wine Awards also gave it a
Commended award, and in 2010 the
International Wine Challenge awarded it a Silver
medal.
Brothers António and Francisco Borges
established Sociedade dos Vinhos Borges in
1884.
Starting as a trading firm, it quickly became
one of Portugal’s most well-known wine makers
and, by the late 19th century, it had achieved
worldwide fame. Early success in Brazil and a
focus on investing in vineyards and production
quality saw Borges register several famous
brands in the early 1900s, including Gatão (which
is available in the Indian market), Pérola,
Trovador, Fita Azul, Borges, and Lello, many of
which are still successful today. The company has
expanded its focus to Port and sparkling wines
over the years, winning several awards, and has
also moved into spirits. Borges joined the José
Maria Vieira (JMV) Group in 1998 to update
operations, concentrate manufacture at Lixa, and
boost home and export markets. Borges is still
well-known
today
for
its
quality-driven
winemaking and ongoing contribution to
Portuguese wine heritage.
Some sparkling wines just refresh, while others
carry you away, raising the senses with each pop
of a bubble. Gatao Sparkling is in the latter
group. Its pale straw-yellow color shines with
expectation, and with the first pour, a stream of
tiny bubbles rises like starlight flickering on water,
a beautiful invitation to the delights to come.
Gatão Sparkling is a symphony of Portugal’s
local grape types.
Gouveio’s vivid acidity and
citrus edge help it to set the tone with brightness
and vitality. Malvasia-Fina gives the palate a
delicate roundness and floral notes while also
softening the ensemble. Arinto, the backbone of
Portuguese whites, provides strong acidity and a
mineral backbone that guarantees freshness in
every sip, while Côdega, which is aromatic and
expressive, adds orchard fruit and subtle spice.
Moscatel, the most fragrant of the bunch,
ultimately crowns the wine with a perfumed lift of
orange blossom and ripe grapes, giving a playful
sweetness that stays but not overpowers.
Delicate floral notes, a touch of white blossoms
entwined with vivid citrus zest and a hint of ripe
stone fruit start the scent. The wine opens out on
the tongue with a velvety smooth texture, where
freshness and softness combine beautifully to
provide a sensation that is both vibrant and
sophisticated. While a delicate mineral sweetness
softens its strong acidity, the exquisite stream of
bubbles improves its crisp character and results in
a long, clean, and really satisfying finish. This
expressive profile has been noted on the world
scene. Gatão Sparkling has been awarded a Gold
Medal at the International Wine Challenge and
received a Seal of Approval in Japan, distinctions
that prove what the senses already knew this is a
wine of note. Its beauty makes it a great aperitif
since it can shine alone but its adaptability lets it
enhance pairings as well.
Among the wines that narrate place and history,
Gatão Red occupies a particular position on the
table. It is a brand that has been a worldwide
ambassador for Portuguese winemaking since
1905. It comes with more than just flavorit comes
with history. The wine has a ruby tint in the glass,
which suggests the freshness and vitality that is
yet to come. Often hailed as Portugal’s noble
grape, Touriga Nacional gives structure, floral
undertones, and a hint of spice. Tinta Roriz (also
known as Tempranillo in Spain) brings strong fruit,
powerful tannins, and depth of earthiness. Tinta
Barroca softens the mix with ripe berry notes, and
Touriga-Franca, which is known for its elegance,
gives it a soft body and a lift of red fruit fragrance.
Together they make a wine that is rich but light,
decadent but humble. Gatão Red meets with
fresh red fruits, cherries, raspberries, and a hint of
plum on the nose. Faint floral whispers and traces
of spice also mix. The wine glides with amazing
grace on the tongue, providing luscious fruit
tastes. It moves with an airy lightness, its tannins
well-integrated, giving the impression of silk
lightly brushed across the tongue. It is full-bodied
in nature but never heavy. From beginning to
end, vivid acidity keeps the wine fresh; the finish
is clean, rounded, and gratifying with graceful
punctuation that hangs just long enough to
inspire another taste.
You might be wondering whether there is a tale
behind that inquisitive cat on Gatão’s label; let
me satisfy your curiosity. From its early
20th-century origins, the cat has wandered with
the brand to become a clear sign of fun and
charm. Designer Rita Rivotti gave this cat a
contemporary stage in 2019, updating the
packaging with clean geometry and old-school
textures while maintaining the well-known
emblem front and center. The outcome is a bottle
appropriate for a rooftop party, a picnic blanket,
or elegantly placed on a seaside table, both
classic and modern.
Still, Gatão Rosé’s appeal goes beyond looks.
Inside the bottle is a careful statement of
Portugal’s winemaking past, made from noble
grapes Touriga Nacional, which is known for its
floral depth, and Tinta Roriz, which is known for
its vivid red fruit and a hint of spice. They
collaborate to produce a rosé that is both
delicate and expressive. It shimmers a pale
petal-pink color in the glass; raspberry,
strawberry, and citrus zest aromas rise with a wisp
of flowers. It is smooth, somewhat dry, and really
fresh on the palate; its strong acidity is raised by
a subdued minerality.
Refined but laid-back,
Gatão Rosé is bottled sunshine that perfectly
embodies the lighthearted vibe of summer in
every fun pour and value-for-money positioning
make it ideal for young consumers, casual dining,
home parties and even by-the-glass programs at
restaurants.
Aristol, Gatão’s reliable local distributor, under
the leadership of Sumit Sehgal and co-founder
Ratik Singal, is set to bring this enthusiasm closer
to Indian wine lovers. With over five decades of
experience in the alcohol and beverage industry,
Aristol has curated a strong international portfolio
that spans Taittinger and Joseph Drouhin to
Italy’s Piccini and Portugal’s Borges—now
enriched by the bright, playful wines of Gatão.
Available across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
Bangalore, and Mumbai in the accessible price
range of ₹1,500–2,200, Gatão combines
attractive packaging, a slightly off-dry palate, and
value-for-money positioning. Aristol’s dedication
to fusing contemporary with custom ensures that
Indian aficionados can seamlessly enjoy
European wine experiences across retail,
hospitality, and travel channels.
“ Gatão Rosé and white are fresh, light, and easy-drinking wine with an approachable style that works perfectly for the Indian market. Its attractive packaging, slightly off-dry palate, and value-for-money positioning make it ideal for young consumers, casual dining, home parties and even by-the-glass programs at restaurants. Sumit Sehgal and Ratik Singal – Cofounder Perspective “
