Anselmo Mendes Contacto Alvarinho 2019

Cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled.

One of Portugal’s top winemakers, Anselmo Mendes crafts his own wines in Minho as well as consulting for a variety of leading wineries across the country. Anselmo began producing Alvarinho wines in 1988 and has decades of experience of working with this prized aromatic variety.

This unusual white is the result of extensive experimentation with skin contact, the technique of leaving the grape must in contact with the skins for an extended period to add texture and complexity. The grapes are sourced exclusively from Moncao in the Vinho Verde appellation where the vineyards are located alongside a river which helps moderate the climate even during the warm summer months. In the winery the grapes are fermented and aged for four months on the lees in stainless steel tanks.

The result is a fresh and uplifting white with ample peach, pear and citrus notes on the nose with subtle floral hints. On the palate there is a medium body, creamy texture, and a distinctive chalky minerality on the clean finish. This is a wine that will age well over the next couple of years, although it’s superb to drink now as a refreshing aperitif or accompaniment to fresh seafood and fish.