A new Alvarinho in town!

Many will know I am always on the look out for any Alvarinho so found this in one of the new mega wine stores here in town. Not seen the producer before but took the debit card out..$18 Cdn (seems to be a cooperative).

2014 Nortico Vinho Regional Minho Alvarinho.

Poor quality cork that spilt, 12.5% alc. Dull looking label. Served initially quite chilled as is house custom.
Pale straw color, peach and lemon on the nose that is not that aromatic really. Entry is crisp, dry, nice mineral tones bit shortish finish.."dull" from across the patio. Not a spritzy style, no ripe stonefruit here...but hints of peach as it warms. Food was shrimp kebabs and rice. Have tasted better this year.

I've seen that wine around and wondered about its origins and how it wound up with such good distribution. The producer, Compañía de Vinos del Atlántico, http://www.vinosatlantico.com/ , isn't really a co-op but some sort of project that puts out wines from both Spain and Portugal. Doesn't really say where the wine is made and by whom - maybe it is bottled by a co-op. The labels on their website are popping up frequently in my area.

Thanks for the imput Joe, best pass on this one I think. Even on day 2, I was not too impressed.

[Jenise]

So they won't be selling that at your airport's wine store any time soon, eh Bob? That's the most amazing airport wine store I've ever seen, btw. Small and hyper expensive but I don't know that I've ever seen so many trophies-per-square-foot before.

Cold windy snowy weather outside but what the heck! Nice pork tenderloin stuffed with a crab mousse needs a white tonite so VV..you get the call!

2015 Anselmo Mendes Vinho Verde Muros Antigos, Portugal.

$20 Cdn, new on the shelf downtown, 12.5% alc. Good natural cork.

Light lemon color, aroma shows lime, apricot and the usual mineral tone. "Grapefruit" from across the table and neighbor thought she found it quite dry. Indeed it was on entry, wine shows customary bold firm acidity, more citrus, no effervescence. The lemony flavors and the minerality enhance the lingering finish which is not all that complex but I enjoyed it eventhough not the best food match.

Bob: Is this the Muros Antigos Alvarinho or the regular VV? I believe the latter is a blend of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Avesso. That is a pretty good price for the Alvarinho in your market (it is $16 here - I'm tempted to try it).

Regular VV Joe with white and green label. I also have the 2015 Alvarinho, the one with white and yellow label and $26 Cdn .

BTW......The Soalheiro is now close to $30. Rep greed for sure.

From the archive.

2015 Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho Vinho Verde Muros Antigos, Minho Portugal.

Well I finally got to opening the Alvarinho that Joe and I mentioned above. Good natural cork, $26 Cdn, served quite chilled as is the norm for my VV.

Pale yellow in color, attractive nose with mineral undertones with some peach and floral. "Lime" from across the table.
No spritz on entry, dry style but some complexity here. Nice flavor intensity, lengthy finish, v good acidity even on day 2. Apple, pear, citrus and mineral tones add to the enjoyment. As usual, I was big on the mineral toned with the acidity.
Food was pork tenderloin in a creamy mushroom sauce. Bravo!