Arinto

No Fuss. No Muss

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Roger Harmston

Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

This is a fresh, dry white from high-altitude vineyards which bring freshness to the resulting wine. Lower yields in 2020 have brought a little more weight and depth to the wine, nicely balanced by the refreshing acidity.

Citrusy notes from a lemon yellow colour with greenish hues. Crisp on the palate, lively acidity. Clean and fresh finish.

The Reserva Planalto is an unoaked blend of 25% Viosinho, 20% Malvasia Fina, 15% each of Gouveio, Códega and Arinto, plus 5% each of Rabigato and Moscatel.

This certainly qualifies if you’re looking for a new house White. It’s dry, uncomplicated, and goes with just about anything you craft for a meal.

DOURO BRANCO RESERVA – CASA FERREIRINHA PLANALTO

$12.99 regularly $14.99

12.5% Alcohol

UPC: 05601012115505

Summertime Summertime. Out on the Deck

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Roger Harmston

Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Animus Venho “Verde” refers to the fact these are young wines meant to be drunk early. The wine is light, fresh, and delicious.

Get ready to be surprised. And she was! She, who doesn’t like bubbles, got by the slightly fizziness on the side of the glass very quickly.

This is a wine that is going to make you smile, even before you taste it. Look closely at the label. Great Artwork. The green ‘i’ in the name gives you a hint at what’s coming.

The grapes are pressed at low pressure, and then fermented with low temperature. 90% Louriero (one of the major grapes in the region) and 10% Arinto grapes. The Faria family has been making wine in Vinho Verde for over 200 years. Beginning just a decade ago, growers like Vicente Faria decided to make their own, estate Vinho Verde and take control of the finished wine.

After all, Vicente is a 7th generation winemaker, so he has a long family history to his advantage. He also studied oenology in Bordeaux and Portugal to give him a broader slate on which to draw ideas and concepts. Up to five grapes can be used for Vinho Verde, but he only used the best two, resulting in a great wine.

This is going to be great with salad and nibblies.

Vinho Verde Animus 2019

$11.99 regularly 13.99

10.5% alcohol

UPC: 05601815411514

Winner White from Portugal

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Roger Harmston

Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Code: 156059

Setubal Jose Maria Da Forseca

Portugal

11.5% Alcohol

Regularly $13.49, on sale for $9.99

Seaside, the Setubal Peninsula is directly south of Lisbon. Another limestone-centric hilly region where both the reds and the whites have gained acclaim. They’ve been doing wines here since the 5th Century BC – so they’ve got it figured out, and that’s why they’ve won a lot of international awards.

Moscatel de Setubal and Arinto Grapes. Dry. Crisp. Lovely body. A great blend.

Quite different than the Spanish Rueda Valley Spanish White the other night, but just as enjoyable. It would be interesting to have both these at a tasting together.