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Speak to any winemaker and you will find a tall tale and 'Smart Dog' is one that Joao Portugal Ramos loves to tell. Being an active man, who is completely fixated on his vineyards, winery and wines with the possible exceptions of food, family and friends he frequently roams his estate, in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal, accompanied by his dogs in order to contemplate the problems of the day. The problem in hand was that he wished to plant Syrah vines to add to the many native Portuguese varieties that he already cultivated but was not sure where to plant it. Close by, his dog has started to dig a hole in pursuit of some hapless small beast and lo! Beneath the cleared topsoil was revealed a deep red sub soil, iron rich, and perfect for the Syrah grape. Always take such tales with a pinch of wine!
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