Vineyards
The Alvarinho Reserva 2018 comes from Quinta de Santiago’s estate in Monção e Melgaço, a prime area in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. The vineyards are set in clay-limestone soils with rolled pebbles, ideal for preserving the acidity and mineral character that Alvarinho is known for. The estate practices organic viticulture with minimal intervention, enhancing the purity and terroir-driven quality of the wine.
Winemaking
This wine is made exclusively from Alvarinho grapes. Fermentation occurs in both stainless steel and French oak, with ageing on fine lees for 8 months, including bâtonnage, which adds body and complexity.
Appearance
A bright citrus yellow with crystalline clarity, indicating both freshness and depth.
Nose
The nose is elegant and complex, with notes of citrus blossoms, menthol, and soft wood. This layered bouquet combines fruit intensity with delicate floral and herbal aromas.
Palate
On the palate, it is full-bodied and well-balanced, offering ripe citrus, stone fruits, and a hint of minerality. Its structure is supported by fresh acidity, with a persistent finish that highlights the wine's refined character and aging potential.
Food Pairing
Ideal with seafood, white fish, cheeses, and lightly spiced Asian cuisine. It also complements poultry dishes and white meats, serving well at 10–12ºC.
Background story
Founded in 1899 in the heart of the Monção e Melgaço sub-region of Portugal’s Vinho Verde, Quinta de Santiago is a family-owned estate with a long tradition of viticulture. Originally dedicated to growing grapes for local cooperatives, the estate transformed in 2011 when Joana Santiago, inspired by her grandmother Mariazinha’s vision, took the ambitious step of establishing their own winery. This decision united three generations of the Santiago family in a shared mission: to create wines that reflect the unique terroir of Monção e Melgaço while honouring their family legacy.
Joana, who left her career in law, now leads the estate with a commitment to sustainable, organic practices and minimal intervention. Her work with consultant winemaker Nuno Mira do Ó, renowned for his dedication to terroir-driven wines, has solidified Quinta de Santiago’s reputation for quality. The wines, particularly their Alvarinho, are known for their vibrant acidity, minerality, and the ability to age well, showcasing the potential of native varieties in the Vinho Verde region.
The winery’s range includes classic Vinho Verde and textural Alvarinhos that capture the purity of the Atlantic-influenced climate. Notably, Quinta de Santiago collaborates with Pedro Ribeiro of Rocim to produce Santiago na Ânfora do Rocim, an Alvarinho aged in Italian amphorae, embodying their innovative approach to winemaking. This collaboration highlights the family’s dedication to tradition and innovation, producing wines that reflect both the legacy and the evolving story of Quinta de Santiago.
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