A taste of the wines of Portugal would not be complete without a mention of Herdade do Esporão and the wines of Alentejo. The Esporão Reserva wines, including the Esporão Reserva White, were some of the first wines made by this producer in 1985. This line’s intention is to capture the best of the land in the southern interior region of Alentejo.
Portugal is home to one-third of the world’s cork forests and over 250 indigenous grape varieties. Many of the grapes are found in this hot, inland area that is about the size of Massachusetts. Alentejo may not be as well-known as other Portuguese regions such as the Douro Valley, but a lot of the country’s wine production happens here.
Though red grapes dominate in the Alentejo’s hot, sunny climate, the region’s whites are beginning to gain ground. Antão Vaz is a popular white grape you will see on labels coming out of Alentejo. Other white varieties found here include Arinto, Fernão Pires, Roupeiro aka Siria, and Verdelho.
Herdade do Esporão Reserva White 2018
The Esporão Reserva White is a blend of three main white grapes: Antão Vaz, Arinto, and Roupeiro. The grapes for this wine come from vines that are 20 years old. After fermentation in stainless steel and oak barrels, the wine is aged for six more months on fine lees in stainless steel vats and in new American and French oak barrels.
Through the aging on the lees in new oak, the wine develops a light golden color and a creamy texture. Flavors and perfumed aromas of lemon, grapefruit, peach, and fresh spices contribute to a complex and layered medium-bodied white wine. The acidity remains crisp, while the creaminess of the lees gives the wine a more rounded mouthfeel. Esporão Reserva White has a long-lasting, fresh citrus finish.
Portugal offers plenty of crisp, refreshing white wines that also pair perfectly with seafood, and this bottle is definitely one of those. Think scallops or white fish in a light citrus butter sauce. It could even be an excellent accompaniment to lightly salted asparagus with a squeeze of lemon.
Wines of Portugal is bringing 15 producers and numerous wines to be enjoyed on November 3rd. If you are a member of the wine trade and would like to attend a trade tasting, please send a message to Melanie at mmigliorato@sopexa.com.
You can learn more about this tasting by visiting our event page on Wine Guide Miami.
Brought to you in partnership with Wines of Portugal.
Jacqueline is a professional wine + travel writer, radio host, wine columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
She is the monthly “Vino” columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, a guest host covering the drinks segment on Linda Gassenheimer’s podcast show, “Food, News, and Views,” and Star Wine List’s Miami Ambassador.
Jacqueline is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist & WSET 3.
