Description

VINEYARDS

Despite its southerly location, Vidígueira is one of the cooler Alentejo sub-regions and benefits from cool Atlantic air funnelled inland from the coast by a gap in the surrounding mountains. The vineyards are planted on rolling hills and 12 different soil typeshave been identified with a predominance of limestone, which controls vine vigour and lends elegance to the wines. Precision viticulture is carried out on the estate and each grape variety has been matched to its ideal plot. All of the Herdade do Peso vineyards are sustainably farmed and the on-site reservoir provides much-needed water to irrigate the vineyards during the warm Alentejo summers.

VINTAGE

Luís Cabral de Almeida describes 2021 as “bad for the beach, but really great for the grapes”. Winter rains replenished water reserves in the soil and a warm and dry spring provided perfect conditions for flowering and fruit set. The start of the summer was muchcooler than usual, daytime temperatures rarely exceeded 35°C, and cool nights allowed a slow and steady ripening of the grapes. A heatwave at the beginning of August, with temperatures up to 43°C caused the vines to shut down temporarily and brought ripening to a standstill, but this recommenced when temperatures dropped mid-month. The harvest on Herdade do Peso began with the white grape varieties on 11th August and finished on the 23^rd September with dry weather throughout. Luís was delighted with the quality of the 2021 wines which have “remarkable acidity and balance.”

VINIFICATION

Upon arrival at the winery the grapes were put in the cool room to lower their temperature before pressing and preserve maximum aromatics. The grapes were then destemmed and very gently pressed. The juice was left to settle for 24 hours and was then racked into stainless steel tanks, where it underwent a cool fermentation at 16ºC for 18 days. The wine is unoaked and was kept in stainless steel for around three months before it was fined, filtered, cold stabilised and then bottled.

TASTING NOTES

Vibrant lemon in colour, this wine is bursting with fragrant aromas of ripe citrus, with subtle tropical notes of pineapple and mango. On the palate a lively acidity carries the bright fruit flavours onto the crisp and refreshing finish.

ANALYTICAL DATA

Alcohol (ABV) 12.5%

Acidity 5.6 g/l

Residual Sugar 2.8 g/l

pH 3.6

Features: Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable