# Aveleda Loureiro & Alvarinho (2025)

- **Producer:** Aveleda
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Loureiro, Alvarinho
- **Region:** Vinho Verde, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €6
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, apple, peach, apricot, lemon, grapefruit, cream

## About this wine

Aveleda is a historic estate founded in 1870 in the Vinho Verde region of Portugal, managed by the Guedes family for five generations. Known as 'o romance da quinta' (the vineyard's romance), this wine represents the estate's first-ever blend, combining the region's two most celebrated white grape varieties. The grapes are grown on the family's historic estate in Penafiel, within the Sousa sub-region, where the family prioritizes biodiversity and sustainable viticulture, preserving hundreds of local species.

## Interesting facts

- Known as 'o romance da quinta' (the vineyard's romance), this was the first-ever blend created by the historic Aveleda estate.
- Grapes are harvested overnight to protect them from daytime heat, preserving their natural acidity and freshness.
- The Aveleda estate is a biodiversity haven, home to over 300 species of flora and fauna, with 1,000 new trees planted annually.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and crisp profile of this Vinho Verde blend make it an exceptional partner for fresh seafood and light, zesty dishes. The acidity cuts through the richness of raw fish and oysters, while the subtle weight from the Alvarinho component allows it to stand up to grilled poultry and light pork dishes without being overpowered.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested overnight to preserve natural freshness and prevent oxidation. Upon arrival at the winery, they undergo gentle, low-pressure pneumatic pressing. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at 16°C to 18°C to retain primary fruit aromas. The wine is aged entirely in stainless steel on its fine lees with periodic stirring (bâtonnage) to add texture and complexity before cold stabilization and filtration.