After a sequence of hot and concentrated years, 2021 brought freshness throughout the growing season and even during the harvest. The water availability of the Douro soil has a very strong impact on vines and musts. The winter rains satisfied the reserves until the painter’s phase, nonetheless in July and August the absence of water was felt. However, the colder nights and the nonappearance of the usual heat peaks made the maturations unfold in a balanced way. The unexpected rains of September came to fill the water needs. Despite threatening the health of the vines and the concentration of the berries, careful monitoring and the right decision on the harvest time were decisive for the final quality of the wines.
Grape origin: Planted on the slopes of the Rio Sabor Valley, the grapes that make up the Douro Superior white 2021 come from Quinta Vale do Sabor, in the Douro Superior, and their vines are between 20 and 35 years old.
Vinification and ageing: After the manual harvest, at Quinta Vale do Sabor, the grapes are destemmed. Half of the batch was foot-trodden in granite lagares and the rest is fermented in stainless steel vats. After fermentation, 65% of the batch ages in stainless steel vats. The remaining 45% makes the last third of the alcoholic fermentation in used 500L French oak barrels. A 6-month ageing period in French oak barrels with weekly batônnage.
Tasting notes: The Vale D. Maria Douro Superior white 2021 has a clear and bright citrus color. On the nose it is an intense and complex wine, with aromas of citrus and white fruits. On the palate, Vale D. Maria Douro Superior white 2021 is creamy and balanced with well-integrated acidity. Long finish. The Vale D. Maria Douro Superior white 2021 is ideal to accompany white meat dishes, shrimp curry, salted fish and salads.
