The New Arrivals: Areal Vinho Verde

Quinta da Pousada is located in the sub-region of Vale do Ave in the heart of the Vinho Verde region. Owned by José Areal & family, Quinta da Pousada has 6 hectares of vineyards and is understood as a family farm, devoting itself diligently to produce high quality wines.  All oenological practices applied are intended to elevate the high quality wines. The Region of Vinho Verde is a region dominated by the influence of the Atlantic, creating a microclimate in the sub-region of Vale do Ave influencing very particularly the vineyards of Quinta da Pousada. The temperature does not show extreme values, resulting in a mild climate of not too cold winters with heavy rainfall and summers relatively dry and cool.

With vineyards of granitic sandy loam soil and South exposure it allows the correct number of hours of sunlight necessary for the best maturation of the grapes.The vineyards of Quinta da Pousada have a modern system of planting, acquiring more harmonious maturation and achieving wine of distinctive quality. In addition, the evolved technology used in the vinification process, ensures the strict protection of the typicality of the grapes.

Throughout the year there is an extreme care to preserve the vineyard. Defoliation is done regularly, but never in excess, allowing the grapes to breathe and absorb the sun without burning. There were significant investments starting with the vineyard (the most important for the quality of our wines) with the expansion of over 700 m² planted last year, then continue with the remodeling of the winery, a process of great dedication and passion and at the same time of continuous learning and improvement.

Areal Vinho Verde 2018 €13.95

The Vinho Verde Areal – Colheita Seleccionada , our Selected Harvest, a blend of the 4 grape varieties Arinto, Loureiro, Trajadura and Alvarinho, presents citrine color and clear and bright look. At taste the flavor is delicate, hot and melodious.

Areal Arinto Vinho Verde 2018 €14.95

The Vinho Verde Areal – Arinto reveales on tasting a fresh, lively and persistent flavor. Outstanding mineral notes, with a very pretty nose of green apple and lemon. Presents a clear appearance with bright and citrus color. Very refreshing.

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Vinho Branco

The delightful Portuguese words for white wine, and with stunning fortified wines, Port and Madeira and great reds from Douro, Dao, Lisboa, and Alentejo is it any wonder that Portuguese whites get over looked, much the same as their Iberian neighbours whites are over looked! (More on that another day). We import directly over 20 wines from Portugal from 5 different family owned estates and stock another 20 or so wines from Portugal. Out of that 40 or so different wines we have only 4 whites. That is a 10% of the total, no other country except for Spain is this figure even as low as 25%. But i waffle below are 3 crisp and refreshing Portuguese whites that we stock.

Bajancas Branco Douro 2011
A refreshing blend of Robigato, Gouveio and Malvasia Fino. Fresh and fruity with a hint of grapiness and. Some crisp lemon fruit. Nice and  refreshing with pure fruit and a hint of herbiness. An appealing easy drinking style.

Quinta Chocapalha Arinto 2010, Lisboa

Probably Portugal’s most famous white grape Arinto. This wine is aged for 12 months in the cellar prior to release. Fresh bright apple and lemony nose. The palate is crisp and fresh with lovely bright fruit and some lemony freshness on the finish.

Quinta Chocapalha Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Lisboa

This is a quirky example of a grape variety we have all love.  The nose explodes with prickly nettle, citrus and pineapple fruit on the nose all over classic freshly cut grass. The palate is fresh with a racy edge and lashing of pineapple, melon and tropical fruits. An absolute much try for all wine lovers. ( Warning this is probably a Marmite wine, love it or hate it!)