# Vinho Verde Branco Pingo Doce Alvarinho Reserva (2024)

- **Producer:** Adega Cooperativa Regional de Monção
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Alvarinho
- **Region:** Vinho Verde, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €5
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apricot, lemon, grapefruit, blossom, cream

## About this wine

This wine represents a highly successful, 25-year-old partnership between the Portuguese supermarket chain Pingo Doce and the renowned Adega Cooperativa Regional de Monção. Crafted by lead enologist José Lourenço, it has grown to become the bestselling white wine in Pingo Doce's entire portfolio. Sourced from the prestigious Monção e Melgaço sub-region, the grapes benefit from a unique microclimate. Ringed by mountains, the vineyards are shielded from direct Atlantic influences, allowing the Alvarinho grapes to achieve optimal physiological ripeness and sugar levels while retaining their signature vibrant acidity.

## Interesting facts

- It is the bestselling white wine in Pingo Doce's entire commercial portfolio in Portugal.
- Shatters Vinho Verde stereotypes by being completely still, un-carbonated, and boasting a robust 13% ABV.
- Sourced from Monção e Melgaço, a microclimate ringed by mountains that shield vineyards from direct Atlantic winds.

## Food pairing

This medium-bodied, high-acid Alvarinho works beautifully with rich seafood and traditional Portuguese codfish dishes. The vibrant acidity cuts through the oiliness of fried codfish cakes and rich, creamy sauces, while the wine's significant weight and texture match the substance of heavier shellfish like stuffed stone crab and lobster.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process focuses on preserving the pure, clean varietal characteristics of the Alvarinho grape. Hand-harvested grapes undergo gentle pneumatic pressing, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 16°C to 18°C to lock in primary fruit and floral aromas. To build texture, volume, and mouthfeel, the wine is aged on its fine lees (sur lie) in stainless steel vats prior to bottling. The wine is completely un-oaked, ensuring a crisp, mineral-driven profile.