# Maria Bonita Vinho Verde Rosé (NV)

- **Producer:** Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas
- **Colour:** rosé
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Espadeiro
- **Region:** Vinho Verde, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €9
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 8–11 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, raspberry, redcurrant

## About this wine

Maria Bonita Rosé is produced by Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas in the Vinho Verde DOC of northwestern Portugal. The brand pays tribute to Maria Bonita (Maria Gomes de Oliveira), an iconic 1930s Brazilian historical figure celebrated for her courage as the first female member of the cangaceiros bandits. Founded in 2009 by winemakers Francisco Baptista and Manuel Dias, Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas expanded into the Vinho Verde region in 2010. Originally introduced as an experimental limited bottling in 2022 following the success of their white Maria Bonita Loureiro, strong market response quickly established this Espadeiro rosé as a permanent annual release.

## Interesting facts

- Named after Maria Bonita, the famous first female member of Brazil's legendary 1930s cangaceiros group.
- Crafted exclusively from Espadeiro, a native Portuguese red grape renowned for producing crisp rosé wines.
- Started as a limited experimental bottling in 2022 before becoming a core wine due to immediate popularity.

## Food pairing

High natural acidity and vibrant red fruit characteristics cut cleanly through oilier fish like salmon while elevating delicate flavors in fresh seafood, sushi, and salads without dominating the palate.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested from granitic soils in the cool, maritime-influenced Minho region, 100% Espadeiro grapes are destemmed and gently pressed with pneumatic presses. Short skin maceration at controlled temperatures allows for color extraction while keeping tannins low. Cold static settling precedes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats using selected yeasts. The wine ages on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks to retain maximum aromatic freshness before bottling.