Vinho Verde
Anselmo Mendes "Pássaros" Loureiro '22
As a regular visitor to Portugal over the last 10 years, I’ve witnessed the growth in quality of many wine regions. Yet one region continues to struggle with its identity despite the hard work of many talented winemakers. Vinho Verde is a region with an identity crisis. It could be argued that it is Portugal’s most noted wine region for white wine. Yet, when people think of the region, they think of the sub-$10, lightly fizzy version of Vinho Verde. I’m not throwing shade at these wines; they are part of the tradition of the region. Yet something needs to change. Its my responsibility, and those of others in the retail and restaurant business to start talking about the real Vinho Verde—the potential and diversity—and highlight the producers looking to change things.
When you talk about Vinho Verde, the name Anselmo Mendes is bound to come up. This is a winemaker who was born and raised in Monção in the north, and has dedicated his professional career to producing great wine from the region. A much sought-after consulting winemaker, he started his own wine label in 1998. He focused on the areas of Monção and Melgaço, two zones in the north along the Spanish-Portuguese border that work primarily with the Alvarinho variety. At that time he was just renting vineyards, but he is now growing his own grapes and working throughout the Vinho Verde appellation.
“Pássaros Loureiro” is a wine that comes from the Lima subregion of Vinho Verde. The name comes from the Lima river, which originates in Galicia, flowing down through northern Portugal and turning to the west and emptying into the Atlantic. The area around the historic village of Ponte de Lima is well known for its excellent Loureiro production because of its granitic soil.
The 2022 is a beautiful expression of the grape. The grapes are handpicked, then brought to the winery in a small boxes in refrigerated trucks. The destemmed grapes are fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures, and the wine undergoes daily lees stirring over three months.
Beautiful nose with notes of lemon and lime zest, grapefruit, and minerality. Bright on the palate with some up-front texture, both citrus and stone fruit flavors, and a long, fresh finish. Great on its own, you can also pair it with grilled sea bream or ceviche.
When you talk about Vinho Verde, the name Anselmo Mendes is bound to come up. This is a winemaker who was born and raised in Monção in the north, and has dedicated his professional career to producing great wine from the region. A much sought-after consulting winemaker, he started his own wine label in 1998. He focused on the areas of Monção and Melgaço, two zones in the north along the Spanish-Portuguese border that work primarily with the Alvarinho variety. At that time he was just renting vineyards, but he is now growing his own grapes and working throughout the Vinho Verde appellation.
“Pássaros Loureiro” is a wine that comes from the Lima subregion of Vinho Verde. The name comes from the Lima river, which originates in Galicia, flowing down through northern Portugal and turning to the west and emptying into the Atlantic. The area around the historic village of Ponte de Lima is well known for its excellent Loureiro production because of its granitic soil.
The 2022 is a beautiful expression of the grape. The grapes are handpicked, then brought to the winery in a small boxes in refrigerated trucks. The destemmed grapes are fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures, and the wine undergoes daily lees stirring over three months.
Beautiful nose with notes of lemon and lime zest, grapefruit, and minerality. Bright on the palate with some up-front texture, both citrus and stone fruit flavors, and a long, fresh finish. Great on its own, you can also pair it with grilled sea bream or ceviche.
Perman
Portugal
Details
| Producer | Anselmo Mendes |