Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho 2017-min

Soalheiro : : Wine

Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas – Alvarinho 2017

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.

Our vintages

Region: Monção and Melgaço, Vinho Verde DOC

Alcohol (%): 13,0

Total Acidity (g/dm3): 6,0

Residual Sugar: Dry

Grape Varieties: Alvarinho

pH: 3,37

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.

The grapes are harvested by hand from the old vines in our territory. The wine is fermented mostly in stainless steel, with 15% fermented in oak vessels - in old barrels, a foudre and a oak round casks -, for added richness. “The philosophy is to have more lees contact through bâtonnage. This gives structure to the wine and a different character”, explains our winemaker. The wine ages for 6 months.
  • This wine is produced in a way that is vegetarian and vegan friendly

Gold Medal
Challenge International du Vin

The Best of Portugal
Revista de Vinhos 2022

Gold Medal and 95 Points
Decanter Words Wine Awards 2022

1---2019---The-Best-of-Portugal-

The Best of Portugal
Revista de Vinhos 2020

2---2019---95-poins---Sarah-Ahmed

95 Points
Sarah Ahmed – Decanter Magazine 2020

3---2018---93-Robert-Parker-Points

93 Robert Parker Points
Mark Squires - The Wine Advocate 2020

4---2018---best-wines-of-2019

Best Wines of 2019
Grandes Escolhas Magazine 2020

5---2018---18-points

18 Points
Grandes Escolhas magazine 2019

6---2018---92-Robert-Parker-Points

92 Ropert Parker Points
Mark Squires - The Wine Advocate 2019

Vintage 2021

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2021 awarded Gold Medal at Challenge International du Vin
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2021 awarded Silver Medal in the Best of Portugal 2022
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2021 considered "Best of Portugal 2022" by Revista de Vinhos Magazine
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2021 awarded Gold Medal and 95 points in the Decanter Words Wine Awards 2022

Vintage 2020

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2020 awarded 90 points in WEINWELT Magazine's Top 100 Portuguese Wines

Vintage 2019

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2019 in the Best of Portugal 2020 by Revista de Vinhos (PT, 2020)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2019 received 95 points from Sarah Ahmed – Decanter Magazine (UK, 2020)

Vintage 2018

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2018 received 93 Parker points from Mark Squires - The Wine Advocate (USA, 2020)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2018 in the “Best Wines of 2019”, by Grandes Escolhas Magazine (PT, 2020)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2018 received 18 points from Grandes Escolhas magazine (PT, 2019)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2018 received 92 Parker points from Mark Squires - The Wine Advocate (USA, 2019)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2018 selected for Swiss Air first class. (Switzerland, 2019)

Vintage 2017

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2017 received 93 points from Richard Mayson in Decanter Magazine in the category of “50 most exciting wines of the year 2018” (UK, 2019)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2017 awarded with Excellence Medal in the Revista de Vinhos Best of the Year 2018 (PT, 2019)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2017 in the Top 30 of the Grandes Escolhas Magazine Awards (PT, 2019)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2017 received 94 Parker points from Mark Squires - The Wine Advocate (USA, 2019)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas won a silver medal at TEXSOM International Wine Awards (USA, 2019);
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2017 won Four Great Grapes by Mark Thompson

Vintage 2016

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2016 received 96 points from Sarah Ahmed - Decanter Magazine (UK, 2020)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2016 - in the Best of the Year 2017 by the Wine Magazine (PT)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2016 in the 10 Portuguese wines that marked Jancis Robinson in 2017

Vintage 2015

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2015 received 96 points from Sarah Ahmed - Decanter Magazine (UK, 2020)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2015 won a gold medal at SAKURA - Japan Women's Wine Awards 2017. (Japan)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2015 was awarded 18.5 points in the “Best of 2016” of WINE magazine (Portugal)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2015 awarded 5 stars in the ‘Native Varieties 2016’ category at the Wine Tasting Competition “Selection das Genussmagazin”

Vintage 2014

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2014 is in the Top 50 Portuguese wines (acknowledged and selected by three Master Sommeliers of the USA)
  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2014 won a gold medal at the Japan Women’s Wine Award “SAKURA” 2016, an international wine competition in Japan

Vintage 2009

  • Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2009 received 95 points from Sarah Ahmed - Decanter Magazine (UK, 2009)

Vintage 2007

  • The Best of 2008 - selected by Revista de Vinhos. The jury constituted by the editorial staff of Revista de Vinhos distinguished the Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2007 produced by António Esteves Ferreira among the best of 2008 in the Vinho Verde Region (PT, 2008)

Vintage 2006

  • The Best of 2007 - selected by Revista de Vinhos. The jury constituted by the editorial staff of Revista de Vinhos distinguished the Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas 2006 produced by António Esteves Ferreira with the award of Excellence (PT, 2007)