Origin
Despite its southerly location, Vidígueira is one of the cooler Alentejo sub-regions and benefits from cool Atlantic air funnelled inland from the coast by a gap in the surrounding mountains. Limestone soils help to control vine vigour and lend elegance to the wines. All of the Herdade do Peso vineyards are sustainably farmed and an on-site dam provides much-needed water to irrigate the vineyards during the Alentejo summers.
Producer
The Guedes family had always rated the quality of the Herdade do Peso grapes – they had been using them in their Vinha do Monte wines since the early 1990s – and jumped at the opportunity to purchase the estate in 1996. Situated in the south of the Alentejo, in the sub-region of Vidígueira, the Herdade do Peso estate covers a total of 457 hectares, 160 hectares of which are currently under vine. Winemaker Luís Cabral de Almeida makes expressive and generous wines that reflect the warmer climate of the Alentejo.
Grape Variety
75% Antão Vaz 20% Arinto/Pedernã 5% Roupeiro.
After harvest, the grapes were destemmed and gently pressed. After 24 hours, the wine was racked into vats, where it fermented at 16oC for 18 days. After fermentation, the wine remained in vats for around three months before being gently fined, stabilised and filtered prior to bottling.
Food Match
Matches well with pork, fish, pasta and lean fish.
Alcohol Percentage
12.5%
ryanbrady1981 –
Pleasantly fruit skin and lemon rind hint of waxiness. Nice mouthfeel and textural richness, again a bit of skinny grip in a pleasing style.