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#360 Boplaas Alvarinho 2024

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Where does Alvarinho come from?

All evidence points to the Albarino being indigenous to the Iberian peninsula; more specifically, in Portugal’s Vinho Verde region and Spain’s Rias Baixas region in Galicia. These two regions are separated by the Minho River.

The cultivar has been in the area for at least 200 to 300 years.

We know this because as ampelographers discovered still-living vines that were between two and three centuries old! There is also a remarkably rich pool of genetic variations in the area, which points to the cultivar being quite a bit older than that. Or at least so say grape DNA profiling specialist, José Vouillamoz, in his book, Wine Grapes.

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Now, if you have yet to sign up for your Monthly HanDrinksSolo Wine Subscription then you won’t be able to taste immediately just how much this category has progressed. But, to tide you over until your track this down, I have left my tasting notes and some technical specs to keep you going:

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TASTING NOTES

👃🏼 The vanguard is pretty, albeit very primary. Loads of sweet peach fruit, honeysuckle, some mango…which may worry some folk, who love their wines surly and moody.

👄 The palate on this wine makes it very clear which side of the Minho inspired this wine. There is some super fresh citrus acidity, which takes all of those sweeter aromas, and stands them to attention. The end result is an insanely bright mix of tart oranges, white peaches, and even a hint of passion fruit. On the finish, there is really lovely hint of salted lemon rind.
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