Quinta da Alorna Vinho Branco Especial 2023

Last January, Michel Doove visited Quinta da Alorna at the invitation of importer Bresser & Timmer. The purpose of this wine trip was to make our own white wine from various base wines. It was immediately apparent that vintage 2023 produced fantastic wines, so half the work had already been done by winemaker Martta Reis-Simoes (with help from Mother Nature, of course). After deciding which grape varieties to actually use, fine-tuning was then done by adjusting the percentages here and there more precisely. See below the final composition of the blend. It was an extremely educational experience and we are very proud of the final result. After four months, the wine has entered the bottles and we can finally share it with you. 

Composition of the blend

40% Viognier. This gives this wine a solid body.

A rising star among white grape varieties. Until recently, Viognier was only planted in the Northern Rhône (Condrieu), but nowadays it is done in many more places. Viognier usually has quite a lot of body and alcohol but little acidity. Its aroma is reminiscent of flowers, white fruit, apricot and peach.

30% Fernão Pires. This gives this wine its aromatic character.

Fernão Pires is a very old grape variety and one of the most common varieties in Portugal, especially in the Tejo and Bairrada regions. Its aroma is often aromatic, hints of Moscatel, yellow fruit, chamomile and blossom.

20% Arinto. This gives this wine some minerality and freshness.

Arinto makes elegant mineral white wines. It is one of Portugal's oldest indigenous grape varieties and is also widely used in blends. Its aroma is reminiscent of apple and lime, nice acidity and minerals make this wine very elegant.

10% Chardonnay on barrique. This gives this wine more fullness and depth through wood maturation.

Perhaps the most famous white wine variety. Chardonnay grapes are planted all over the world and are easy to vinify. A Chardonnay can therefore be light and fresh, but also full-bodied, creamy and wood-aged. Typical Chardonnay aromas include peach, tropical fruit (banana, pineapple), citrus, butter, vanilla, toast or toasted caramel notes from the oak.

More about the winery Quinta da Alorna

Quinta da Alorna is a well-known winery in the Tejo region of Portugal, which has a rich history. Tejo, located northeast of Lisbon, is one of the country's oldest wine regions. Established in 1723, Quinta da Alorna takes its name from the title of the family that owned the estate at the time.

The estate itself has an impressive historic manor house dating back to the 17th century. Quinta da Alorna stands out because it not only produces wines, but also conveys the history and culture of the region. Over the centuries, the winery has been managed by different families and has undergone several innovations in both farming techniques and winemaking.

Over time, Quinta da Alorna has specialised in a wide range of wines, including red, white, rosé and even dessert wines, made from both indigenous and international grape varieties. The Tejo region itself is known for its fertile soil and favourable climate, making it an ideal place for wine production.

Quinta da Alorna owes its reputation mainly to its high quality standards and innovative production methods, which have earned it a loyal clientele on the international market. Today, Quinta da Alorna's wines are a symbol of the diversity and richness of the Portuguese wine tradition.