Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) is one of seven wine regions in Portugal and a real up-and-comer in today’s global wine world.
With its distinct and diverse growing areas, hundreds of unusual grape varieties and ancient wine traditions, Portugal’s Alentejo region is a wine explorer’s paradise.
2018 Aldela de Portalegre Conventual Reserva ($25)
Founded in 1954, the Adega de Portalegre Winery has been distinguished by the quality and originality of their wines. The vineyards are located at an altitude around 2000 feet with the average age of the vineyards being 70 years old.
This wine is produced from 40% Arinto, 20% Fernão Pires, 20% Siria and 20% Bical. It was fermented in stainless steel vats and aged in French and American oak barrels. It is pale gold in color with aromas of citrus fruits, spices and beeswax. On the palate it has bold flavors of lemon and lime, minerality, moderate acidity and a bit of tartness. It is a “Reserva” which is the designation of superior quality for wines that must be certified by the certification body.
2021 Torre de Palma Arinto & Alvarinho ($40)
This wine is produced from 50% Arinto and 50% Alvarinho. It is fermented and aged for six months in used French oak barrels from Burgundy with bâttonage and sur lie. It is pale gold in color with delicate aromas of pear and honey. On the palate it has bold citrus flavors and excellent acidity and salinity with bit of tart pepper on the finish.
2020 Adega de Redondo Porta da Revessa Special Edition White ($15)
Porta da Revessa is inspired by the iconic door of the secular Castelo de Redondo, where the marks of the Vara (a long spiked lance used by a picador) and the Côvado (a unit of measure) are still visible today. This wine is produced from 40% Verdelho, 30% Arinto and 30% Antão Vaz. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks and followed by stirring on lees during the aging process. It is pale yellow in color with aromas of melon, pear, minerals and herbs. On the palate, the aging on lees contributes to a softer mouthfeel with good acidity on the finish.
If you are not familiar with Portugal’s native grapes and the flavors of their white wines, just think of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and you’ll begin to understand their flavors. They are bright and fruity with refreshing acidity that goes great with a wide variety of foods. And, again, perfect to be the Behind the Cork™ Wines of the Week. Cheers!
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Samples Provided by the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program and the Noted Wineries of Alentejo via Creative Palate Communications