Soalheiro Alvarinho Terramatter
£34.95
Soalheiro Terramatter has an intense hay colour. As it is an unfiltered wine, it is cloudy but can be cleared if decanted. The wine has a rustic and complex flavour while still being vibrant and fresh. The finish is slightly vegetal, yet silky and smooth. By gently stirring the bottle before serving, incorporating the fine lees, the wine can have even more volume in the mouth. Following hand harvest, the Alvarinho grapes undergo three distinct production processes. One part of the blend ferments in stainless steel tanks, another part undergoes both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in traditional chestnut barrels from the Minho region and the third part is fermented in concrete eggs where it also experiences natural Bâtonnage. After blending the three parts, the final wine is bottled without filtering. Soalheiro Terramatter is produced from the Quinta de Soalheiro vineyards. These vines are grown using practices that support biodiversity and the viticultural ecosystem. The vineyards are certified organic and promote environmental sustainability.
Ideal with fatty fish, cooked shellfish, cured meats, lamb, turkey, roasted root vegetables, and anything in a cream sauce or with fungi. Its flavour and texture also pair perfectly with Asian or Mediterranean gastronomies.
The Soalheiro vineyards were established in 1974, not far from Melgaço (in Alvaredo in fact), Portugal's most northerly town, and overlooking the Minho River. Since then, this very special terroir has allowed Soalheiro to forge its reputation as the very finest producer of this variety in Portugal. Luis Cerdeira, whose grandfather established the estate, now makes these benchmark wines. Vineyards are between 100m and 200m, planted on granite, above the Minho. All the Vineyard cultivation is organic, though not certified for all their wines.