(2023) The brand is named after Maria Severa Onofriana, Portugal's first Fado singer to reach international fame. It is a distinctly spritzy Vinho Verde, featherlight with just 8.5% alocohol. Unfortunately, to my palate there's also a residual sugar sweetness to the wine, whereas I want my Vinho Verde to be dry and appetising. The sweetness against the lemony thrust of the acidity doesn't sit too happily for me.
(2023) Make no mistake, the co-op of Monção is a superb wine producer, and a leader for the whole Vinho Verde region. This wine, made from Alvarinho, echoes the Albariños of Galica, just across the border. The nose is exotically fruity, herby and lemony, with an ozone breeziness. It bursts onto the palate, so much zesty, pure citrus freshness, a tangy but tropical hint of mango, then a thrillingly bright. Long finish. Terrific. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas.
(2023) Named after a legendary figure in the history of the Monção region, this is 100% Alvarinho. Aromatically it has a peach-downy softness with some leafy green herbs notes and a touch of preserved lemon. That thrust of dry, quite grippy lemon and salts concentration propels the palate towards a tangy and savoury finish in the seafood and fish-friendly wine.
(2023) From granite soils in the south of the Minho, the Vinho Verde region, this is made by. The hugely experienced Rui Cunha. A single varietal Vinho Verde, it is drybwith no sign of 'spritz', quite a fat, generous lemony character, nuances of dill-like leafiness, even a hintbof almondy nuttiness. Textured on the palate, this has some slippery weight and rounded, lightly orange fruit with a crisp acid finish. Most enjoyable.
(2023) A classic blend of Avesso and Arinto, and classic in style with a definite spritz as it hits the palate. It is dry on the palate, after opening with preserved salty lemons and nuances of leafy green herbs. In the mouth, a dry, apple core gastronomic character, with a sweep of acidity adding more decisive cut and mouth-watering clarity. Understated, but quite grown-up and with a certain intensity.
(2023) With a beautiful, soft wax-sealed presentation, Natur is Covela’s organic certified, no added sulphur wine. Fermented and aged in old oak barrels, only 1600 bottles were made. There's a hintbof spritz and interesting Bay leaf character, herby and melon skin aromas, moving into florals. In the mouth citrus dominates, a lightly waxy character too, with apple skin grippiness. Good acidity, in an intriguing and ambitious take on single varietal Vinho Verde.
(2023) Dry, light, with watermelon and redcurrant aromas, this pale pink is appetising and gastronomic. A tart raspberry thrust of zingy fruit strikes the palate, lemony acidity adding to the verve and freshness. Provence might be the inspiration here, but it's a delicate and successful homage.
(2022) It's 80 years since the iconic Mateus brand was founded by Portuguese producer, Sogrape. To mark the occasion, the wine has been bottled with three new liveries, each reflecting a style of music: Portugal's own 'Fado', rock and dance music. It's unclear to me why these specific genres were chosen, but the colorful, cartoon-adorned bottles might appeal. The wine inside is the standard Mateus, which means it is gently effervescent, with just a slight spritz, a little bit of sugar making it off-dry, and filled with a summer berries and confectionery, easy-drinking fruitiness. It is a perfectly pleasant, summer in the garden sipper with only 11% alcohol. The musical-themed limited edition is in most major supermarkets.
(2021) A new vintage for a wine I have really enjoyed from Lidl previously, the epitome of Vinho Verde freshness and vitality, and a quality one too. The nose has the leafy green herbs, touches of dill and rosemary, and a fine citrus fruit core. On the palate it is lively and full of energy, the tiniest bit of spritz and a tangy brightness to the fruit, a little salty character adding more interest into quite a long, elegantly tapering finish.
(2021) Made by the Adega Monção in the heart of Vinho Verde's best Alvarinho terroir in the far north of Portugal, this is from a very ripe vintage, but buyer Jo Locke was very happy with the freshness too. I have to say I found this a scintillating summer sipper, a tiny hint of spritz adding to that fresh appeal, but aromatic combination of some Reisling-like waxiness and lime peel zest is lovely, then the palate streaks with that limey purity, hints of nectarine sweetness, and excellent acid vibrancy into the finish. A sheer delight.
