Anselmo Mendes focuses on the Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Avesso varieties, producing serene white wines that have won numerous awards and accolades and earned the trust of the most discerning critics and wine lovers worldwide. This is the original expression of a passion rooted in the past, crystallized by long experience and know-how.
The Alvarinho grapes come from the Vinho Verde wine region. It's striking that the area where the grapes grow is surrounded by relatively high mountains, providing greater shelter from the Atlantic influences. This warmth, coupled with less rain, is ideal for ripening the grapes perfectly. The grapes for this wine are planted on the best soils, on sunny slopes with poor, weathered granite soil. This results in a minerally wine with body and power, yet simultaneously a wonderful freshness. After careful harvesting, a long fermentation follows at a temperature between fourteen and twenty degrees Celsius. It gains additional richness and structure by aging for at least another six months on the fine lees, the dead yeast cells, which impart additional flavors to the wine.
This gives it its full tropical aroma with hints of abundant citrus, mango, flowers, and apple, as well as green herbs like tarragon, parsley, and a touch of green asparagus. The palate is beautifully salty, refreshingly dry, and offers notes of lemon, white fruit, minerals, and a hint of lime! Highly recommended. It's delicious as an aperitif, but also pairs well with turkey, chicken salad, smoked salmon, or shrimp cocktail.
