VDP: Where and how did you get the wine bug?

Raul Riba D’Ave: Wine was already part of my family life because we were producers of a famous fortified wine in the region of Lisbon (Carcavelos) and also rose still wine producers in the Vinho Verde region. However, it was not until I tasted an old white from Aveleda at my uncle’s house that I really dived into wine. It was a cheap wine, but it had evolved beautifully. I had never experienced those kinds of aromas.

VDP:Your first encounter with German wines?

Raul Riba D’Ave: A JJ Prüm sweet Riesling. Don’t remember exactly the pradikät level, but I believe it was an Auslese.

VDP:What is your favourite story to tell about German/VDP.wine – did you have highly emotional experience with our wines / producers?

Raul Riba D’Ave: I always say that there is an entire wine world to discover in Germany. Being a cool climate and using grape varieties such as Riesling or Spätburgunder, the result is so diametral different from what we get in south Europe that the excitement is impossible to hide when tasting your wines for the first time. I also have a strong emotional connection with one of the VDP members, S.A. Prüm, since I used to import and distribute the brand in Portugal (from 2010 until 2023)

VDP:How many bottles of German wine/VDP.wines do you have in your cellar?

Raul Riba D’Ave: A lot, since I have always believed that german wines, especially Rieslings from the best sites, are able to stand decades in the bottle. For certain vintages, I have several cases, all liying down, waiting to be drunk when reaching maturity.

VDP:What is your favourite vineyard in Germany – and why?

Raul Riba D’Ave: Wehlener Sonnenuhr because of the sun dial and because of the old ungrafted vineyards that were there in the past, in a special parcel, and that I had the opportunity to taste.

VDP: If it comes to German grape varieties, what is your favourite? Riesling, Spätburgunder or other?

Raul Riba D’Ave: Riesling is of course my favourite, but I see a promising future for the Spätburgunder, which I love, especially from the region of Baden. For more relaxed consumption, I love Lemberger.