Quinta do Ameal Loureiro '21

Made entirely with loureiro (“lou-rare-oh”), this delicious dry white wine comes from the Lima Valley, in the Vinho Verde appellation, the most northwesterly zone that borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and separated from Spain by the Minho River to the north. Ameal works solely with the Loureiro grape, whose birthplace is in Lima, and which is one of the main varieties of Vinho Verde, a region that has unfortunately become known for wines that are inexpensive, slightly spritzy, and not particularly memorable. These wines are atypical, more concentrated, expressing a high level of quality and a sense of place, and they are among the best in Portugal.
 
José Roquette, the owner of Esporão, Portugal’s largest organic wine company, purchased Quinta do Ameal in 2019 from the recently retired Pedro Araujo. Located in the heart of the Lima Valley, these 14 organically farmed hectares of the white grape Loureiro are grown in the vineyard’s igneous granite bedrock and sandy topsoil. The grapes are hand-harvested, and the wines are whole-cluster pressed, naturally fermented for 12–15 days at low temperatures, and aged on the lees in steel.

Bright aromas showcasing grapefruit, white flowers and a flinty minerality. Crisp and fresh on the palate, more citrus notes, an impression of saline, and a long, vibrant finish. Pair with a classic Portuguese dish such as Bacalhau Na Brasa, or bring alongside to your favorite BYO sushi restaurant.