QUINTA DA ALORNA BRANCO RESERVA

Tasting note:

Golden yellow colour, the aroma is complex with notes of fresh and citrus fruits from the Arinto grape and notes of smoke from the Chardonnay. Good structure and balance between the acidity and the freshness of the Arinto, the maturation of the Chardonnay and the elegance of the wood, the finish is intense and very persistent.

About the wine:

The grapes, originating exclusively from Charneca, are from vineyards over 30 years old. Harvested separately, the grapes were pressed in long and short cycles during the morning whilst still cool. After the clarification of the musts, the Arinto grapes fermented in stainless steel vats at 14ºC and the Chardonnay grapes fermented in stainless steel vats at 18ºC and new American and French oak casks where they aged on the fine lees for 4 months.

About the producer:

Quinta da Alorna has a long and illustrious history stretching back to the 18th century and has links to our very own Iberian Buyer, Paul. Allegedly, his ancestor was rescued by the then winemakers from execution and spirited away, so that many years later Paul could repay the favour and add them to our portfolio. Sitting majestically in the Tejo region, Quinta da Alorna has a wide array of vineyards which are worked in a sustainable and socially responsible way, looking after both the land and the workers. Portugal's trump card is its wide array of toothsome indigenous varieties and they are put to good work here. Aromatic Fernao Pires, tight, minerally Arinto and the Portuguese iteration of Tempranillo, Tinto Roriz, are amongst the bevy of blindingly tasty components that they have to work with and the result is an accomplished range of distinctly Portuguese wines.

Food match:

Fish dishes such as cod with cream or béchamel sauce, or exotic flavours like creamy curry dishes.