Variety: Antao Vaz; Arinto; Alvarinho
Region: Vidigueira & Alentejo, Portugal
Cost: $13 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Citrine green in colour. Rich in fruit with exuberant tropical notes. Freshness, minerality, and a good volume in the mouth with a balanced acidity.
My Review: Having tried Antao Vaz as a single variety, I was excited to try it in a blend. I have to say, it seems like I prefer it that way.
In the glass the wine was a yellow-gold colour. On the nose I picked up aromas of lemon, lime, and citrus. In the mouth the wine was crisp and tart, with notes of citrus and none of the slight roundness that I got from the 2016 Malhadinha Antao Vaz da Peceguina.
My wife and I paired the wine with jambalaya skewers (a new idea we were trying, taking the parts of jambalaya but putting it on….a skewer), and the acid and citrus flavors of the wine did a nice job of cutting through the richer flavors of the food.
I really enjoyed this wine, and for $13 it’s a great value. Definitely one to revisit, especially now that we’re entering the heat of summer.
Editor’s Note: I received this wine as a free sample for review.