Bairrada
Quinta das Bágeiras "Colheita" Branco '21
In Portugal, fans of cool-climate, old world wines look to the Bairrada region. This Atlantic-influenced region produces a wide variety of wines, from sparkling to white to red. Not only are the wines great everyday values, but they are among the most complex wines in the Iberian Peninsula, and some of the very best have come from Bairrada.
One of the top producers of Portugal is Quinta das Bágeiras, who is beloved by local Portuguese enophiles. While Bágeiras is a longtime grower in the region, it wasn’t until 1989 that Mário Sérgio Alves Nuno decided to create estate-bottled wines rather than continue selling the grapes of vineyards belonging to his grandparents. All the grapes are handpicked. He firmly believes that quality means nothing without identity. So while Quinta das Bágeiras isn’t the oldest winery in Bairrada, it is traditional, and the wines speak to the region and to the identity of the vineyards and the people who produce it.
The “Colheita” Branco is produced predominantly from a blend of Bical and Maria Gomes. The grape must is transferred into open-top decanters and allowed to naturally settle for 24 to 36 hours. From there it is fermented in stainless steel tanks, always using natural yeasts. That early introduction of oxygen to the grape must helps the wine gain in complexity while also enhancing its ability to age.
The wine shows off the floral quality of the Maria Gomes when it is first poured, as the Bical brings citrus notes and zippy acidity. If you don’t drink the whole bottle in a short time, you can revisit it over a couple nights; just record it and keep it in the fridge. This white is an extremely versatile food wine, with dishes ranging from seafood to roasted pork.
One of the top producers of Portugal is Quinta das Bágeiras, who is beloved by local Portuguese enophiles. While Bágeiras is a longtime grower in the region, it wasn’t until 1989 that Mário Sérgio Alves Nuno decided to create estate-bottled wines rather than continue selling the grapes of vineyards belonging to his grandparents. All the grapes are handpicked. He firmly believes that quality means nothing without identity. So while Quinta das Bágeiras isn’t the oldest winery in Bairrada, it is traditional, and the wines speak to the region and to the identity of the vineyards and the people who produce it.
The “Colheita” Branco is produced predominantly from a blend of Bical and Maria Gomes. The grape must is transferred into open-top decanters and allowed to naturally settle for 24 to 36 hours. From there it is fermented in stainless steel tanks, always using natural yeasts. That early introduction of oxygen to the grape must helps the wine gain in complexity while also enhancing its ability to age.
The wine shows off the floral quality of the Maria Gomes when it is first poured, as the Bical brings citrus notes and zippy acidity. If you don’t drink the whole bottle in a short time, you can revisit it over a couple nights; just record it and keep it in the fridge. This white is an extremely versatile food wine, with dishes ranging from seafood to roasted pork.
Perman
Portugal
Details
| Producer | Quinta das Bágeiras |