Vinho Verde Case

Quinta do Ameal dates back to the early 1700s but its acquisition by the team at Esporão a few years ago has seen it given a wonderful new lease of life. Bico Amarelo is an affordable but serious Vinho Verde, without the sweetness or spritz of many examples. This is a blend of avesso, loureiro and alvrarinho grapes from across the region. The nose is crisp and fresh with lemon verbena and pear. The palate is pure and refreshing, with a touch of fresh mint towards the end.

Fresh, fruity, with the merest hint of spritz, this is a popular, easy-drinking style from northern Portugal, the blend tending to be around half each of alvarinho and trajadura. Made by the highly regarded Adega de Monção co-operative, this comes from vineyards overlooking the border with Spain along the beautiful Minho river in the Monção e Melgaço sub region. This is delicious with shellfish, salads or light lunches or just nicely chilled as an aperitif. Super easy-going and a great example of Vinho Verde's charm.

Anselmo Mendes is widely regarded in Portugal as the modern godfather of alvarinho, so who better to turn to for our Exhibition range? In recent years he has been restoring an old estate in the highly prized Monção sub-region of Vinho Verde, Quinta da Torre. The house is surrounded by eight vineyard plots, each planted on distinct soil types that shape the character of the alvarinho grown there. Our Exhibition alvarinho comes entirely from this estate and is a blend of near equal parts from each parcel. The nose is generous and expressive, combining ripe orchard and tropical fruit with a subtle note of charred lemon and oyster shell. The palate brings both breadth and precision, with apricot and citrus layered over a fine, chalky mineral thread and lifted by fresh acidity. A fuller, more structured style of alvarinho that overdelivers at the price, offering a compelling snapshot of this exceptional Monção site. Excellent with flaky fish, soft cheeses or grilled sardines.