Dao White Adega de Penalva

Juicy, bright stone fruit, pleasant aromatic notes and fresh on the finish, it’s a great bottle for those wanting a change from Sauvignon Blanc.

Dao, Portugal.

2020

12.5%

75cl

MORE INFORMATION

Producer

Adega de Penalva, whose wines are delicious everyday examples of one of Portugal’s most intriguing appellations — the Dão. Perched above the Dão river itself as it snakes through its granite valleys, the Adega de Penalva is one of the leading cooperatives in the area, boasting around a thousand member growers. It’s important to note, though, that the average holding per member amounts to barely over a hectare—a figure that reminds us how tenaciously much of rural Portugal clings to its old ways. (On that note, all fruit destined for the ‘Indigena’ bottlings is hand-harvested.) Since its founding in the 1960s, the Adega has been collecting its members’ grapes and producing clean, characterful wines with a minimum of fuss that showcase real regional typicity while remaining extremely attractively priced. 

Viticulture

Surrounding mountains create a peculiar sub-climate with rainy winters and very hot and dry summers. The soils are sandy over schist and granite. The wines translate the dazzling landscape of mountains cut out by their rivers into full-bodied, dense and aromatic delight to the senses. 

Winemaking

40% Encruzado, 30% Malvasia and 30% Cerceal. The winery has been well modernised, but still implements a rigorous selection process. Hand-harvested, fully destemmed and fermented and raised in stainless. 

Taste

Fruity, lightly creamy white with a fresh spicy, aromatic lift. There’s plenty of pleasant stone fruits and a touch of almond too. If you’re developing sauvignon-fatigue try this for a refreshing and interesting change.

Food Pairing

Great as an aperitif but also works with Asian spiced dishes.