Anselmo & Niepoort ADN Alvarinho

Description

Anselmo & Niepoort ADN Alvarinho is a white wine produced from grapes grown in the sub-region of Monção e Melgaço of Northwest Portugal. Monção e Melgaço is a premier subregion within Minho, renowned for its exceptional Alvarinho white wines that exemplify the Atlantic-influenced terroir of northern Portugal. 

Anselmo & Niepoort ADN Alvarinho is a joint venture between Anselmo Mendes and Dirk Niepoort. Anselmo Mendes is widely regarded as a specialist in the Alvarinho grape variety (also known as Albarino in Spain). He has been working with Alvarinho since  1987 and is known not only for the excellence of his wines but also for the surprising and consistent way he innovates.  

Dirk Niepoort is the 5th generation of his family to run Niepoort Vinhos. Founded as a Port House in 1842, they are known for their superb Port wines. However, they are now also considered to be one of the top Portuguese producers of table wines. Dirk really was at the forefront of the Portuguese and Douro wine revolution. He first started experimenting with wines in 1990 and released his first table wine in 1991. He now produces wines in the Douro, Dao and Bairraida. Dirk has always been a collaborative chap and has made previous joint ventures with Navazos in Spain and Lothar Kettern in Germany, amongst others.

Anselmo & Niepoort ADN Alvarinho is made from 100% Alvarinho sourced from vineyards in the Monção e Melgaço sub-region of Minho’s Vinho Verde wine-growing region. The soils here are poor, granitic soils and the grapes enjoy plenty of sunlight.

The grapes are harvested early to ensure aromatic freshness is retained in the wine. Harvest is by hand into small crates for transportation to the winery. After destemming, the intact berries were pressed and left to settle chilled for 48 – 72 hours. The wine then underwent a long fermentation period at low temperatures between 14°C and 18°C. Finally, the wine was matured on its fine lees for 4 months with regular bâtonnage prior to bottling.

Only 2000 bottles were produced.