Let’s take a look at two Portuguese white wines, both of which use the Loureiro grape. One is 100% Loureiro, and the other a blend with two additional, indigenous Portuguese grapes. Here they are:
Wine: 2021 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro
Winery Location: Vinho Verde region of Portugal
Tasted By: Neil Date: November 2022
Tasting Notes: This is a pale yellow in color, with a nose of citrus, apple and white flowers. On the palate it is fresh and lively. Some lemon joins the party. Acid is brisk, and it is bone dry. It leaves your mouth watering. Really good, but not quite up to the level of the 2020 vintage, which was our #4 Wine of 2021. You can read more about that here. Still, this is delicious and good value. 100% Loureiro
Price Point – $18. This has a very high quality to price ratio.
Would We Buy It? – Yes. There aren’t many white wines I like better.
And here is the second wine:
Wine: 2021 Esporão Bico Amarelo
Winery Location: Grapes from Vinho Verde region of Portugal
Tasted By: Neil Date: November 2022
Tasting Notes: This is a light, golden yellow, with much more color than you would expect in a wine calling itself a Vinho Verde. Those are generally very light, fresh and sometimes come with a slight effervescence. This wine is much more substantial. A rich and fruity nose if full of apple, citrus (more of a pomelo) and floral notes. It is dry, with bold fruit on the palate. Nice texture and some body belie the Vinho Verde tag. This is seriously elevated Vinho Verde. Really good. A blend of Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso.
Price Point – $12, and really kind of silly in this vintage. Super value wine here.
Would We Buy It? – Yes, all day long. This is not your everyday Vinho Verde.
Not one of the better known white grapes, Loureiro is none the less one of my favorites. It can produce exquisite wines with complexity, texture and body which are also fresh and vibrant. The wines here are examples of that. We suggest you try some.
A votre santé!
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