Food pairing
Excellent with grilled fish, shellfish, light poultry dishes, delicate salads, or Mediterranean cuisine. Also particularly pleasant as an aperitif.
Grapes: Arinto & Rabigato
After light crushing, the must is transferred to small, temperature-controlled vinification vats. The grape varieties are vinified separately. The wine is aged on the lees for seven months.
The 2022/2023 vintage was another atypical year, with abundant rainfall in October, November, and December. The end of winter and the beginning of spring were very dry. Heavy rainfall in May and June restored soil water levels. Finally, a heat wave in the last week of August and intense rain showers a few days before the equinox marked this year's highly changeable climate. Two periods in the vegetative cycle stand out: a very dry and hot April compared to normal; and May and June with periods of intense rain, occasionally accompanied by hail in some areas, causing significant losses. At Quinta do Vale Meão, we estimate a production drop of approximately 30%. These two phases in the cycle, combined with the water level stored in the soil over winter, resulted in significant vegetative growth and the development of medium to large bunches. The rainy winter and mild spring ensured good growth and development of the vines. Despite the lower rainfall, it was necessary to prevent diseases (downy mildew) and control common pests (leafhopper). Production was average (despite losses due to hail), and the quality of the wines appears to be exceptional. At the end of the cycle, due to the warmth and the available water, ripening proceeded rapidly, resulting in a slightly earlier harvest. Only a small portion of the production was affected by the rain. Nevertheless, some selection was necessary due to the fragility of the grape skins. We began the harvest on August 16, 2023, with the introduction of white grapes of the Rabigato variety and ended on September 18, 2023, with Tinta Roriz.
Alcoholcontent
12,5 %vol
Store & Serve
Serve at 12-13 °C.
From now on drink up to 4 years after the harvest year
Critics & Awards
3,9/5 - Vivino (163 ratings)
