Alvarinho born from our first vines (Old Vines)
Soalheiro : : Wine
Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas – Alvarinho 2014
Traditionally, the wines of Melgaço were field blends of various native grape varieties. In 1974, João Antonio Cerdeira broke from tradition and planted the first continuous vineyard of a single variety, Alvarinho, in the territory. In 1982, he became the first in the region to bottle them into a single varietal wine and dedicated the entire production of Soalheiro to Alvarinho. As the name of the wine indicates, Primeiras Vinhas (‘First Vineyards’) sources its production from the old-vine fruit of that inaugural 1974 planting. This wine boasts an elegant structure and complexity not common in Monçao and Melgaço, using old vines to create a new expression of the region’s winemaking potential.
Region: Monção and Melgaço, Vinho Verde DOC
Alcohol (%): 13,0
Total Acidity (g/dm3): 6,4
Residual Sugar: Dry
Grape Varieties: Alvarinho
pH: 3,3
Volatile Acidity (g/dm3): 0,32
(The values are approximate)
The wine made from the oldest vines features lively acidity with added complexity from the barrel, making it a versatile match for many plates. It pairs well with seafood, all kinds of fish, poultry dishes, mature cheeses, smoked meats, or Asian and Mediterranean gastronomies.
Primeiras Vinhas has a bright lemon to golden-yellow colour and a concentrated ripe fruit aroma with buttery notes and plenty of spice. It boasts an elegant, vibrant flavour that is very firm and tropical tasting in its youth and gets bigger with ageing. Its full body perfectly balances with a crisp acidity. These complexities are due to the early ripening of the Alvarinho on the suntrap, nicknamed ‘Soalheiro’, where our first vineyard is located.
The microclimate that influences the production of Alvarinho grapes in our territory is unique. Monção and Melgaço, Portugal's northernmost territory, is protected by a set of mountains that allow a perfect combination between rainfall, temperature, and the number of sunshine hours necessary for the best maturation of the grapes of the Alvarinho grape variety. This good sun exposure - a 'soalheiro' (sunny) location - also gave its name to the parcel that was in the origin of the brand and also Primeiras Vinhas.
