Isn’t wine a miracle? From grapes, ripened by sunshine and nourished by the soil, they transform with the help from yeast to produce wines for us to enjoy. There is no reason for wine to exist, other than for pleasure. Don’t you agree?
I received a bottle of one of Portugal’s Vinho Verde (Green Wine) from the Quinta da Pedra winery, using the Alvarinho grape. Vinho Verde can be made with a blend of different white grapes, but Alvarinho is the most widely planted and used to make this wine. The bottle from this winery is also quite unique. It has vertical lines at the front of the bottle, and the bottle is not round. It has been flattened so that the front face and back label areas are a bit wider. It is a unique bottle. Let me tell you about this bottle of Quinta da Pedra Milagres Alvarinho 2021 wine.
Notes From the Winery
“Quinta da Pedra is a historic and distinguished estate located in the heart of Monção and Melgaço, the most renowned sub-region of Vinho Verde in northern Portugal. Dating back to the 17th century, this estate holds significant historical value and is considered one of the oldest and most important in the Alto Minho region. The property spans approximately 30 hectares, with vineyards planted on deep, granitic soils. The land’s location within a valley allows for a unique combination of climatic conditions, benefiting from an abundant water supply and diverse solar exposure. The vineyards are cultivated using traditional dry-farming methods, maintaining an emphasis on sustainability and the natural qualities of the terroir. Quinta da Pedra’s Alvarinho vines are planted at a high density of 5555 vines per hectare—twice the regional average—which contributes to the quality and concentration of the wines.” (https://fladgatefamilywines.com/en/vineyards/quinta-da-pedra/)
My Wine Tasting Notes
Quinta da Pedra Milagres Alvarinho 2021 (BC $38.99)
Winemaking notes that fermentation begins in temperature-controlled stainless steel and then finishes for at least 12 months in very old, used French oak barrels (10+ year old). Bâtonnage is carried out for 6 months. Malolactic fermentation may occur in some barrels.
Appearance: A clear, deep, golden-lemon colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of dried stone fruits, along with touches of honey and woodiness. With decanting you can add a touch of dried apple aroma.
Palate: It is dry, with a fuller body, and has a silky smooth, round, thicker mouthfeel. Medium acidity provides a hint of acidic prickle on your tongue. Dried stone fruits, ripe pears, some stoniness, and a hint of woodiness on the palate. The wine also has a buttery texture to it (indicates malolactic fermentation). Quite nice. After decanting, the body lightens up a bit. No change to the flavours or texture of this wine.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with dried stone fruit, honeyed dried stone fruits, a little peppery, and a touch of oak woodiness. No change to the finish or flavours after decanting.
An intense, enticing wine with rich dried stone fruit flavours and a thick, silky mouthfeel.
Rating: 
The Quinta da Pedra Milagres Alvarinho 2021 shows a deep golden-lemon colour with medium-plus aromas of dried stone fruit, honey, and a touch of woodiness, with dried apple appearing after decanting. The palate is dry and fuller-bodied with a silky smooth, round, thicker mouthfeel, offering dried stone fruit, ripe pear, stoniness, and subtle woodiness, along with a buttery texture and medium acidity. It finishes medium-plus in length with dried stone fruit, honeyed notes, light pepperiness, and a touch of oak.
A Few More Notes
Why is this wine so deeply coloured? Vinho Verde are usually more pale in colour.
The answer is that the harvest started with an extremely dry and hot spring. The summer was mild with cool nights. By the end of the summer the region was declared to be in drought conditions. But then the end of August and early September brought rain, bringing the grapes to full ripeness during harvest in the middle of September. An overall cooler season would have not let the grapes be so ripe and deeply coloured. Another reason for the deeper colour could be that this wine has aged for five years with aging of white wines typically leading to deeper colouration.
Lastly, did you know that “Milagres” is the Portuguese word for “miracles”?
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
This wine is available for purchase at BC Liquor stores.
