Vinho Verde Loureiro/Alvarinho, Azevedo, Portugal 2022

The Azevedo estate is located in the Vinho Verde sub-region of Cávado, just 25 kilometres from the Atlantic coast. The land was granted to the Azevedo family by royal decree in the 11th century and the manor house and tower (seen on the labels) date back to the 15th century. However, this fantastic history is in contrast to a very modern approach to viticulture and winemaking.

 

Fernando Guedes acquired the estate in 1982 and immediately set out to transform it. He planted 35 hectares of vineyards in this cool, wet part of north-western Portugal. Traditionally, overhead pergola systems were used in the region to make use of every piece of land. While good for the farmers, who could grow other crops and rear livestock underneath the pergolas, this was not conducive to quality wine production. Fernando moved away from these pergolas and planted cordon-trained vines, allowing more air circulation within the vine canopy and sun exposure for the grapes and resulting in riper and healthier grapes at harvest. Harvesting is done by machine at night to ensure the freshness of the grapes is preserved.

 

António Braga is at the winemaking helm and makes wines marked by a signature freshness and pure, precise flavours. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures to retain the varieties’ natural freshness and aromatics. The delicate Loureiro lends notes of lime blossom and subtle hints of bay leaf to the wines, while Alvarinho brings stone fruit aromas, structure and complexity.

12%