@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! So happy you could join us today! Tell your friends to join us too to learn more about #wine!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Today we are featuring #Winemaker Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto in #Portugal and he’s ready to answer our Qs! #SommChat #WW

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): Good morning all from Chicago! How is everyone today, any first-timers? – #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): You’re welcome to ask Miguel Roquette your Qs too! But first, read instructions in our next few tweets so you’ll know what to do #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Miguel hasn’t personally embarked on Twitter world yet, so we’re assisting. He will answer through @Keepercoll #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): ALL OF MIGUEL’S TWEETS WILL COME FROM @KEEPERCOLL #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): So, if u have Qs, direct them to @KeeperColl & we’ll ask Miguel. We’ll also tweet his answers-those will start w/ “M. Roquette:” #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Also, please note that all of his answers will be in English – no need to brush off your Portuguese dictionary. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): And don’t forget that EVERY tweet during chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! Let’s start chatting!

@alawine (Ken Alawine Waggoner): starting now: #SommChat with guest #Winemaker Miguel Roquette #wine

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl M. Roquette: great to featured on #SommChat – excited to talk about our wines from Duoro #portugal

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel, when did you first fall in love with #wine? Was it love at first sight? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: The first time I had #Port I was a few weeks old. This is a tradition in the family. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Grandfather would say “The #Port will stay in their blood 4ever”. Definitely love at first sight. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel, How did your English studies in #Britain help shape your career? #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: I spent a year in #England when I was very young and this was a great experience. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: I lived with 3 different families and attended a language school during that time in #England. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: This was extremely important for my future career. #SommChat #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: It gave me a solid background to communicate correctly with my future partners and clients. #SommChat #WW

@jennanorth (Jenna North): @KeeperColl @KGreenPR @ericawinetrips @dellanimom @kcwineguy @AdamPlotkin @Local913 Cheers! #SommChat #WW

@jennanorth (Jenna North): Following the conversation: RT @KeeperColl Today we are featuring #Winemaker Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto in #Portugal #SommChat #WW

@TperezWine (Thomas Perez): Good morning I am late, but I am here #sommChat #wine #WW #SommChat

@TperezWine (Thomas Perez): Miguel talk to us about the #viticulture in the #duoro #portugal seems very complicated #sommChat #wine #WW #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @TperezWine M. Roquette Viticulture is not as complicated as # of different varietals and steep terraces , including & farming #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel, What was the most valuable thing you learned while working at Sogrape? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Sogrape belongs to my distant cousins & is biggest #wine group of #Portugal & a phenomenal company. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: First official job was at Sogrape in late 80s & this experience was fundamental for my future career. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Professionalism, passion, commitment to tradition & quality at Sogrape was & still is unprecedented. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: I have learned a great deal of skills and qualities while working at Sogrape. #SommChat #WineWednesday

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @KeeperColl @KGreenPR @ericawinetrips @dellanimom @jennanorth @kcwineguy @Local913 Good morning from SNOWY #Colorado! Let’s #SommChat!

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – Is most #wine in Portugal made by single owner vineyards? You don’t hear 2 much about negotiants, like in Burgundy – #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @demilove M. Roquette largely single owner vineyards but not all #SommChat #WineWednesday

@TranslationLady (Lori-TranslationLady): @demilove i saw Ken’s face and #wine so popping in to see what it is all about #Sommchat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel, Tell us more about the “fruit salad” of different grape varieties that makes the #Douro so special. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: In the #Douro valley we consider “Old Vines” any plantings that are 40 year or older. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette:When phylloxera was finally controlled tradition was 2 mix plant new vineyards 4 #Port #wine production #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette Some of oldest plots are now > 100 yrs & ther R > 40 native #Port grape varieties planted all 2gether. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: The unique plots R very impt 4 #Port prod. & give us raw material 2 produce unique world class reds. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: A true “fruit salad” & 4 us it would B impossible 2 tell U exact % of each variety in that plot. #SommChat #WW

@TperezWine (Thomas Perez): Miguel your #wines are always pristine, what kind of challenges do you face? if any #keepercoll #portugal #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): .@TperezWine @KeeperColl Like my fellow #winemakers: weather , a reliable coffee machine, and a good place to get a cold beer #sommChat

@harleywine1 (Harley Carbery): @KeeperColl hello from #vegas! Happy #WW everyone!! #SommChat

@bsicricket (Catherine Miles): One of the most stunning properties in the world. The place, the people, the wines. #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @TranslationLady – This chat is every Wed. 11 AM Central sometimes there’s a winemaker, sometimes a sommelier, etc. – #SommChat

@TranslationLady (Lori-TranslationLady): @demilove Fabulous ~ I will share this with a friend who is a #sommelier in San Diego. #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @demilove @TranslationLady @KeeperColl And sometimes, there’s us! But tune in anyway… #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel How do the different sun exposures on the estate affect your #wine? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: I consider the #Douro valley to be the ultimate expression of micro-climate and true terroir. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette:At Quinta do Crasto some vines R planted at river level-up hill 2 new terraces vines planted at 1200 ft #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Vineyards are predominantly facing South and East but due to the very steep terrain… #SommChat #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: some vineyards R very exposed to sun while others are on shade at different times of the day. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Diff. sun exposures R impt 2 understand when planting new vines as effect on fruit can clearly B seen. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Get your qs for Miguel Roquette #Duoro #portugal on #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel What was it like winning “International Red #Wine of the Year” in 1997 for the Crasto 1995? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Award was 4 Quinta do Crasto Douro Red ’95 & ’96 – 2 #wines awarded at same time Red #Wine of Year. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette:This was truly impt 4 us at Quinta do Crasto & 4 #Douro region & #Portugal as #wine producing country. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: This opened new doors and turned a new page in the history of #Douro Red #wines. #SommChat #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Everyone benefited from this award & it help us 2 establish our #wines in a solid way in world market. #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – What month does harvest usually begin in #Portugal? What do you stress about most just before harvest begins? – #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): .@demilove @KeeperColl M Roquette in #portugal, harvest usually starts in Sept & everything is hand harvested at our properties… #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): .@demilove @KeeperColl M Roquette before harvest there is a lot of planning such as pickers, we watch about the threat of rain #SommChat

@TperezWine (Thomas Perez): Miguel who is your biggest #market @KeeperColl #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): .@TperezWine @KeeperColl historically it has been the #UK and #USA but #Brazil is on the rise #SommChat #Winewednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel What would you suggest be paired with your Crasto #wines? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: I consider Quinta do Crasto #wines to be very versatile and extremely #food friendly. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Depending on the #wine U R drinking U can B very adventurous pairing w/casseroles, game, cheeses.. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: …& can pair w/ chocolate dessert. Quinta do Crasto #wines also go extremely well by the glass. #SommChat

@lisasharahall (Lisa Shara Hall): @KeeperColl For Miguel: Do all you #wines sell equally well? From the bottom wines to the top? #Sommchat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @lisasharahall @KeeperColl M. Roquette all of #wines are different, but all successfully sold out each year in diff mkts. #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel Any new #food & #wine pairing discoveries? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: In the last few yrs our Crasto Douro Red was paired w/great success with #Indian and #Thai #food. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette The spiciness of the #food is very well supported by this Crasto Douro Red #wine. #SommChat #WineWednesday

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): .@KeeperColl Interesting! That’s a pairing I would’ve been skeptical about! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): think U need to be tester & tell us your thoughts RT @AdamPlotkin: Interesting! That’s a pairing I would’ve been skeptical about! #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): .@KeeperColl Absolutely! Anytime find new pairing on #SommChat I try it out! They almost always work–testament to knowledge in this group!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel What is the main difference between the Quinto do Crasto brand & the Crasto #Douro brand? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Quinta do Crasto labels all come from our main propery in the #Douro superior…. #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: The Crasto label fruit all comes from our newest property named Cabreira in the Upper Douro… #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: We only use fruit from our own properties. #SommChat #WW

@TperezWine (Thomas Perez): @KeeperColl @TperezWine @KeeperColl historically it has been the #UK and #USA but #Brazil is on the rise #SommChat #WW #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel, How many different types of #Douro #wines do you make? #SommChat #WineWednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette:We produce Flor de Crasto Douro White, Flor de Crasto Douro Red, Crasto Douro White, Crasto Douro Red& #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Crasto Suoperior, Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines, Quinta do Crasto 100% Touriga Nacional & #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Quinta do Crasto 100% Tinta Roriz, Quinta do Crasto #SommChat #Wine Wednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Only a few mins left to get your qs in for Miguel Roquette at #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Q. @KeeperColl Miguel Is it true you have an amazing swimming pool at Crasto?#SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: Our swimming pool is famous-sits at a high point of our property…. #SommChat #Wine Wednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): A. @KeeperColl M. Roquette: You can see the #Douro 360 degrees. It is a spectacular view and a special place. #SommChat #Wine Wednesday

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl M. Roquette #Douro is one of last places left that is truly untouched in many ways. It is a place not 2 B missed. #Sommchat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl M. Roquette in #Duoro We still grow our on fruit, raise our own meat and live off the land. #SommChat #WW

@noblewines (Christopher Miller): Q. @KeeperColl for M. Roquette what is your favorite still Portuguese red? #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): .@noblewines @KeeperColl so many lovely wine from #portugal that I love, could not pick one sorry #SommChat #WW

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Thanks to everyone 4 joining us 4 an international edition of #SommChat! I hope u learned something abt #Douro #wine & Miguel Roquette

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @KeeperColl Thank you to both you and Miguel! Great info! #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): I hope everyone will join me in thanking Miguel Roquette 4 an awesome job sharing his #wine knowledge! #WineWednesday #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Join us nxt Wed 5/08 11 AM CST 4 another #SommChat & more #wine secrets from #South #African #Winemaker Adi Badenhorst @AABadenhorst!

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): If u want to be 100% sure ur #SommChat Q gets answered, post it to FB & we’ll be sure it gets asked! http://on.fb.me/hjQDBL Happy #WW!

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @KeeperColl – Thank you, Miguel! I look forward to trying your #wines here in #Chicago! – #SommChat

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): @KeeperColl M. Roquette it was great 2 B featured on #SommChat Please come visit us in #Douro & thank U all 4 UR gr8 questions. Drink Douro!

@Portocork (Portocork): @KeeperColl We’ll do our best to be part of it! Keep up the great #SommChat work!

@noblewines (Christopher Miller): How would #SommChat participants like to see this problem resolved? @KeeperColl who should pay in wine service fail

@KeeperColl (Keeper Collection): Ready 4 next week’s #Sommchat guest? Introducing #South #African #Winemaker Adi Badenhorst of @AABadenhorst! Join us Wed 11 AM CST

@kcwineguy (kcwineguy): Cheers! RT @jennanorth: @KeeperColl @KGreenPR @ericawinetrips @dellanimom @kcwineguy @AdamPlotkin @Local913 Cheers! #SommChat #WW