Ballesteros Torres recommends six top Alvarinhos from Vinho Verde
Quinta do Louridal, Poema Alvarinho Sobre Lias, Monção e Melgaço 2016 94
£ 25.25 Wadebridge Wines
Intense, complex aromas with a genuine style. Spicy and smoky lees influence notes combine with restrained tropical fruit and orange peel. Unctuous, almost velvety, and very open on the palate with great freshness. A very serious wine of top quality. Drink 2020-2031 Alcohol 13%
Quinta de Soalheiro, Terramatter, Monção e Melgaço 2018 94
£ 27 Bottle Apostle, Butlers Wine Cellar, Caviste, Drinkmonger, Noel Young, Valhalla’s Goat
Delicate – more floral and grassy than fruity, showing discreet spiciness and lively citrus fruit. Round and elegant aromas on the nose, perfectly balanced, with both power and agility. The finish is subtle and very complex. A magic combination of delicacy and freshness. Drink 2020-2028 Alc 13%
Adega de Monçao, Deu-la- Deu Fernando Moura 30, Monção e Melgaço 2016 93
N/A UK www. adegademoncao. pt
A classic, developed style, that shows deft maturation. The aromas and flavours of dried apricots and sweet spice are very particular and distinct. Deep and generous on the palate, the wine has impressive elegance and shows magisterial winemaking. Drink 2020-2031 Alc 13%
Quintas de Melgaço, Vinhas Velhas, Monção e Melgaço 2018 92
N/A UK www.quintasdemelgaco. pt
A restrained nose that boasts lovely grassy, spicy notes and well-defined white fruit. It’s elegant, tight and stylish on the palate, with a lingering finish. A singlevineyard wine that shows a pure expression of its terroir: a Vinho Verde benchmark. Drink 2020-2028 Alc 13%
Lua Cheia, Nostalgia, Monção e Melgaço 2018 91
£ 32.50 Amathus Drinks
Precisely defined, textbook Alvarinho aromas and flavours: ripe peach and bright citrus, with a slight lees-contact smokiness. Round and firmly built on the palate, but smooth texture and appealing bitterness on the finish. Drink 2020-2024 Alc 13%
João Portugal Ramos, Alvarinho, Monção e Melgaço 2018 90
N/A UK www. jportugalramos.com
Delicious in its approachability – full of friendly peach and citrus, with a slight green apple overtone. It’s clean and precise, with crisp acidity and a slight bitterness on the finish that enhances the aftertaste. Drink 2020-2022 Alc 13%