Niepoort Coche Branco 2022, Douro

Description

Niepoort Coche Branco is Dirk Niepoort’s flagship white wine. It is a wine which aims to reach beyond the expression of its vineyards, region and provenance. A truly world-class wine, think Portuguese Burgundy!

Niepoort Vinhos may be small, but it is a very well-regarded Portuguese wine producer with a rich history dating back to 1842. The company was founded by Franciscus Marius Niepoort from Holland and has been family-owned for generations, currently led by the visionary Dirk Niepoort, the fifth generation. Niepoort’s three children Daniel, Marco and Ana have all entered the family business. In particular, the eldest son, Daniel, has been involved in winemaking at the company since 2020.

Dirk Niepoort joined the family business in the late 1980s and bought a fresh perspective to the company. He recognized the potential of the Douro Valley to produce exceptional table wines, not just fortified wines. Dirk convinced his father to purchase Quinta de Nápoles and Quinta do Carril, plant 15 hectares of new vines, and preserve the 60-year-old vineyards. He began experimenting with table wines in 1990 and released his first wine, Niepoort Redoma Tinto in 1991. Dirk’s innovative approach and passion for quality led to the development of a diverse range of still wines not just from the Douro, but also from estates and vineyards including Bairraida, Dao and Açores (Azores).

In the hot Douro, the key to the finesse and balance of Niepoort Coche are the old vines and the high altitude of the vineyards which help to maintain balance, acidity and freshness in the wine. The white grapes are sourced from several different vineyards in the Douro with an average vine age of over 80 years old. The vineyard soils are mica schist which contributes to the minerality and freshness of the wine. The vineyards are located on the right bank of the Douro River at an altitude of 600 to 750m.

The grapes for Niepoort Coche were manually harvested with careful sorting in the vineyard.

After sorting, the grapes were transported to the cellar in 25 kg boxes in a temperature-controlled truck to ensure the grapes stayed cool and that they arrived at the winery in peak condition. During the night, the grapes were pressed gently and the must was left to settle for approximately 48 hours. Alcoholic fermentation took place in French oak barrels of 228 L and 550 L, of which 50% were new oak. Over the 12 months that the wine was maturing in barrels, the Coche also went through partial malolactic fermentation.

Niepoort Coche is a blend of Douro grape varieties including Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Arinto and others.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.