2024 Esporão "Bico Amarelo" Branco, Vinho Verde, Portugal

ABOUT THIS WINE

This white wine from Esporão represents the diversity of the region and its main grape varieties (Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso). 2024 was a year of high precipitation and elevated temperatures. During the vegetative dormancy period (Autumn – Winter), there were higher temperatures and greater precipitation. In the Spring and Summer, both precipitation and temperature remained high. The harvest period was hot and dry, which resulted in a year of good productivity and quality. Harvest of the white grapes began at the end of August, with healthy grapes of great balance. 

All grapes were harvested by hand. Whole clusters were pneumatically crushed and the must was cold-decanted for 24 hours. Fermentation occured in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature. This wine does see some lees aging for complexity's sake.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Esporão was founded in 1977 in the Alentejo, Portugal, out of the unconditional desire to make the finest wines. This is the motivation that remains at the basis of everything they do, now extended to other products - olive oil and tourism - and territories - the Douro and Vinho Verde. The winery is fueled organically using olives left over from making olive oil. 

This is the winegrowing region with the widest variety of soils: granite, crystalline limestone-derived, Mediterranean brown and red and schist. The area is distinguished by gentle plains and shallow valleys carved out by occasional streams, a Mediterranean climate with certain areas boasting a continental microclimate and the constant presence of corn fields, vineyards and olive groves.

Summers are hot and dry, normally with over 20 days above 35° C. The springs and autumns are mild with plenty of sunny days. Winters are kind. Average rainfall during the wettest months is below 80 mm with average temperatures above 10° C, although daily temperature variations can reach 20° C.These characteristics profoundly affect Alentejo’s fauna, flora, landscape, architecture and people.

This Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC) is made up of 8 sub-regions with a long tradition of wine production: Borba, Évora, Granja-Amareleja, Moura, Portalegre, Redondo, Reguengos and Vidigueira.