# Palheto

- **Producer:** Espera Wines
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Arinto, Bical, Fernão Pires, Touriga Nacional, Vital, Castelão, Alicante Branco
- **Region:** Lisboa, Portugal
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C

## About this wine

Espera Palheto is a distinctive light red wine from Portugal's Lisboa region, crafted by Espera Wines, a small winery run by Rodrigo Martins and Ana Leal. The name "Espera" translates to "wait," embodying Rodrigo Martins' winemaking philosophy of allowing wines ample time to evolve and express their vintage. This wine is a modern interpretation of the traditional Portuguese "Palheto" style, which involves a co-fermentation of red and white grape varieties from a field blend. The vineyards are located in Alcobaça, a region with a rich winemaking history influenced by Cistercian monks, inspiring Rodrigo's commitment to natural, low-intervention practices and sustainability.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Espera' means 'wait' in Portuguese, reflecting the winemaker's philosophy of patience.
- It's a traditional 'Palheto' style, a unique co-ferment of around 20 red and white grape varieties.
- Winemaker Rodrigo Martins is inspired by the historical winemaking practices of Cistercian monks in Alcobaça.
- The wine is made from grapes grown in 50-year-old organic vineyards with clay-limestone soils.

## Food pairing

This light-bodied, dry red wine with medium-high acidity and light tannins is incredibly versatile. Its freshness and vibrant character make it suitable for a wide range of dishes, from casual fare to more refined meals. The wine's ability to be served slightly chilled enhances its refreshing qualities, making it an excellent match for dishes with a touch of spice, fresh herbs, or a creamy texture that can be balanced by its acidity. It also pairs well with lighter proteins and vegetable-focused dishes.

## Wine making process

The grapes for Espera Palheto are sourced from two 50-year-old vineyards in Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha, characterized by clay-limestone soils. Viticulture is organic, eschewing herbicides and synthetic pesticides, with all vineyard work and harvest (in the first week of September) performed by hand without irrigation. The wine is a co-ferment of approximately 20 different grape varieties. Natural fermentation occurs in 1000kg vats for 5 days, before the wine finishes fermentation and ages for 7 months in old French oak barrels (500 and 700L). The process involves no temperature control, fining, or filtration, and only low levels of sulfur are used, reflecting a minimal intervention approach.