Anselmo Mendes Muros de Melgaco Alvarinho 2023

Cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled. Anselmo Mendes is one of Portugal’s finest winemakers and spends his time consulting for the country’s top wineries as well as making his own wines in Minho. Anselmo has been working with the Alvarinho grape, the Portuguese name for the Albariño grape, since 1988 and has a wealth of experience of making sensational aromatic wines from the variety. Working alongside Anselmo at his own winery is his wife, Fernanda, his brother, and his son as well as a handful of dedicated employees. The winery is based close to the River Minho which marks the border with Spain. Anselmo’s Muros de Melgaco Alvarinho is sourced from excellent vineyards planted on granitic soils. Once in the winery the must is fermented is used oak barrels with a small proportion of new oak barrels. The wine is then aged in the barrel for 6 months on the lees to create a richer, more intense style of Alvarinho than the classic fresh and crisp expressions of the grape. Bright grapefruit, orange and ginger spice burst out of the glass while the first sip reveals a creamy texture, medium body and balancing vibrant streak of acidity. This delicious wine makes a great partner for creamy fish and chicken dishes as well as seafood, spicy Asian dishes and cheeses.

Price: £16.12 from 8wines UK