# Vila Nova Alvarinho (2025)

- **Producer:** Sociedade Agrícola Casa De Vila Nova, Lda.
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Alvarinho
- **Region:** Vinho Verde, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, lime, apple, peach, apricot, biscuit, cream

## About this wine

Casa de Vila Nova is an estate steeped in history, held by the aristocratic Lencastre family since the 12th century. The property features an original, ivy-draped medieval stone tower, around which a grand manor house was constructed in the 1700s. Although grapes were planted on the estate in the late 1970s, they were sold in bulk for decades. In 2008, Bernardo Lencastre and his siblings took over the estate, initiating a modern renaissance to bottle and showcase their own estate-grown Vinho Verde wines.

## Interesting facts

- The estate features an original, ivy-draped medieval stone tower dating back to the 12th century.
- The winery is run by the Lencastre family, descendants of the First Baron of Várzea do Douro.
- The family transitioned from selling grapes in bulk to estate bottling in 2008.

## Food pairing

The high, vibrant acidity and clean mineral drive of this Alvarinho cut beautifully through rich, oily seafood and buttery sauces, while its delicate stone fruit profile complements fresh shellfish without overpowering it.

## Wine making process

The grapes are entirely hand-harvested in small 20 kg boxes to prevent early crushing. Upon arrival at the winery, they are destemmed and subjected to soft, direct pressing. Fermentation occurs 'bica aberta' (without skin contact) in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats between 15°C and 18°C to preserve pure varietal aromatics. The wine is aged entirely in stainless steel on its fine lees (sur lie) for 4 months before cold stabilization, filtration, and bottling.