Quinta do Ermizio Vinho Verde 2023

Press 4 Mix/White • July 2024 Direct Press Selection

The area between the Douro and the Minho rivers in Portugal has a long and storied viticultural history, dating back to antiquity. Today the northern portion of the area, known as Vinho Verde, shares many varieties and traditions with Galicia to its north. Quinta do Ermízio, in the town of Ronfe outside Guimarães, is similarly old: the name dates back perhaps as far as the 12th century. The current Quinta was established in 1984 with the construction of the winery, and has been making wine in much the same style since. Today Quinta do Ermízio is owned and run by Antonio A. Monteiro, a retired horticulture professor.

The vineyards are lush and green, farmed in traditional methods: the soils are not disturbed and treatments are largely organic and only used when absolutely necessary. The vines are trained in pergolas to help protect the ripening grapes from humidity and harvested by hand. Each plot and variety is harvested and fermented separately each year to enable careful blending.  Cellar work is minimalist. Fermentation and aging is done in stainless steel and the only additive is a small amount of SO2 and CO2 at bottling. Ben Fletcher/José Pastor

Tasting notes: a festive and charming Vinho Verde that has even more energy, freshness, and identity than the more typical wines from the region. Lemon curd, sponge cake, and mineral umami underneath. Jonathan Kemp