Portuguese Wine School: Vinho Verde Masterclass, 2nd July

on 20/06/2018 at 3:13 pm

Pushing the boundaries at Soalheiro, Alvarinho specialist

Tis the season to Vinho Verde and, while you can expect freshness to be the hallmark of each and every wine, I’ll be challenging a few stereo-types into the bargain at my Vinho Verde Masterclass at Portuguese Wine School. Held at OSM Wine Bar in Old Spitalfields Market, it will be followed by supper prepared especially for us by Nuno Mendes’ Taberna do Mercado.

We shall taste classic blends – boutique examples – but the focus will be on top tier single varietal Alvarinho and Loureiro from the sub-regions of Monçao e Melgaço and Lima, including cutting edge examples made from biodynamically grown fruit, naturally fermented Vinho Verde and a no added sulphur Alvarinho.

We’ll taste Portugal’s leading red grape variety Vinhāo – two benchmark, contemporary examples which play nice with your gums!

Topping and tailing the tasting, we’ll have a sparkling Alvarinho and a late harvest Loureiro from star players Quinta de Soalheiro and Quinta do Ameal.

The line up

“Prawns” on the barbie at Aphros – just the ticket with Loureiro!

Soalheiro Alvarinho Espumante 2016 – a traditional method sparkling Alvarinho (second fermentation in bottle) from the first Alvarinho brand in Melgaço

Quinta de Val-Bôa Escolha Branco 2017 – a naturally fermented blend of Arinto, Alvarinho and Avesso

Casa de Pacos Superior 2016 – a blend of Alvarinho, Arinto, Fernão Pires and Loureiro

Aphros Loureiro 2016 – from this leading certified biodynamic estate

Quinta do Ameal Solo 2016 – so-called because this Loureiro “makes itself alone”

Quinta do Ameal Loureiro Escolha 2014 – fermented and aged in French oak

Quinta do Ameal – Loureiro specialist

Sem Igual 2014 – a surprisingly full-bodied Arinto/Azal blend from Amarante

Soalheiro Granit Alvarinho 2016 – one of my Decanter Expert’s Choice Portuguese White Wine recommendations

Soalheiro Nature Pur Terroir 2016 – a no added sulphur Alvarinho

Anselmo Mendes Curtimenta Alvarinho 2011 – a mature top notch Alvarinho made with skin contact and part fermentation on skins, followed by ageing in 400l French oak barrels – a powerful white from this acclaimed vintage and producer

Quinta da Raza Vinhão 2015 – friendly red Vinho Verde you can chill

Aphros Vinhão 2017 – another red Vinho Verde for chilling – you and the wine!

Quinta do Ameal Late Harvest 2012 – a super rare dessert Loureiro

When & where

The class kicks off at 6.30pm on Monday, 2 July and costs £55, including supper from Taberna do Mercado and the wines of course. The venue is OSM Wine Bar & Bottle Shop at Old Spitalfields Market, 107B Commercial St, London E1 6B.