# Lagar de Baixo (NV)

- **Producer:** Quinta de Baixo
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Baga
- **Region:** Bairrada, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, rose, violet, herbaceous, vanilla, cloves, leather, forest floor, mushroom

## About this wine

Quinta de Baixo is an estate located in the Bairrada region of Portugal, acquired in 2012 by renowned winemaker Dirk Niepoort alongside Sérgio Silva. The estate focuses on expressing the unique terroirs of Cantanhede, where calcareous clay soils and an Atlantic maritime climate create ideal conditions for native grape varieties. Niepoort sought to revive the traditional, elegant expression of the Baga grape, moving away from heavy, over-extracted styles toward wines with lower alcohol levels, vibrant natural acidity, and exceptional balance.

## Interesting facts

- Fermented using traditional open granite lagares with partial whole cluster inclusion.
- Aged in large wooden tonéis imported from Austria and Germany.
- Produced from 100% certified biodynamic vineyards in Bairrada.

## Food pairing

Baga's bright natural acidity and structured tannic backbone excel alongside rich, fatty meats and savory dishes. The wine cuts clean through the richness of pork, duck, and slow-cooked stews, while its chalky mineral notes align naturally with mushrooms and earthy vegetable preparations.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested from biodynamically farmed vineyards with vines ranging from 15 to 60 years old. Fermentation takes place in open granite lagares and neutral vats using spontaneous wild yeasts, incorporating partial whole-cluster inclusion. Aging occurs for 19 to 20 months in large neutral wooden tonéis of 2,500L to 5,000L and older oak barrels. The wine undergoes spontaneous malolactic fermentation and is bottled unfiltered to preserve its pure expression.