2024 Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde

The 2024 Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde showcases one of Portugal’s most iconic white grapes in its purest, most vibrant form. Crafted in the cool, green north of Portugal, this wine marries zesty freshness with surprising depth and precision. As one of the benchmark Alvarinhos from Vinho Verde, it offers a refined, terroir-driven expression that is both approachable now and serious enough for enthusiasts. Rooted in the Monção e Melgaço subregion, where Alvarinho reaches its greatest potential, Soalheiro has been instrumental in elevating this style from simple summer sipper to world-class white wine.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2024 Soalheiro Alvarinho is a bright, pale lemon with greenish highlights, hinting at its youthful energy and freshness. The nose is intensely aromatic yet finely detailed, with layers of ripe citrus (lime, grapefruit zest), white peach, and green apple, wrapped in floral notes of orange blossom and acacia. Subtle mineral and saline tones underline the fruit, evoking wet stone and sea breeze. On the palate, this wine is crisp and lively, with a mouthwatering acidity that frames the juicy fruit. Expect a burst of citrus and stone fruit—lemon, tangerine, and nectarine—alongside hints of fresh herbs and a distinct mineral streak that gives it tension and length. The texture is elegant and finely chiselled, with a clean, dry finish that lingers on notes of citrus peel and light salinity. While it is utterly delicious in its youth, the concentration and structure of Alvarinho from Monção e Melgaço suggest that this 2024 vintage should develop gracefully over the next 3–5 years, gaining complexity and a slightly more honeyed, nutty nuance with short-term cellaring.

Production
Quinta de Soalheiro lies in the Monção e Melgaço subregion of Vinho Verde, where the combination of granitic soils, abundant rainfall, and a protective ring of surrounding hills creates an ideal microclimate for Alvarinho. The Atlantic influence ensures freshness, while warm days and cool nights build aromatic intensity and balanced ripeness. Grapes are typically hand-harvested at optimal maturity to preserve their natural acidity and delicate aromatics. In the cellar, the classic Soalheiro Alvarinho is vinified primarily in stainless steel at cool temperatures, with a gentle pressing and careful handling to avoid oxidation. A period on fine lees adds subtle texture and complexity without overt oak influence, allowing the grape’s pure fruit, minerality, and precision to take center stage.

Food & Serving
This Alvarinho is a natural partner for seafood—think oysters, clams, grilled prawns, and simple fish dishes such as sea bass, dorade, or cod. It also pairs beautifully with ceviche, sushi, fresh goat cheese, salads with citrus dressings, and light poultry dishes or vegetable-focused cuisine. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its crispness and aromatic lift. Decanting is not necessary, but opening the bottle a few minutes before serving and allowing it to warm slightly in the glass will help reveal its full aromatic complexity and textural finesse.

Producer
Soalheiro is widely regarded as a pioneer and reference point for premium Alvarinho in Portugal. Founded in the 1970s in the heart of the Monção and Melgaço subregion, the estate was among the first to recognize and showcase the full potential of Alvarinho as a serious, age-worthy white wine. Over the decades, Soalheiro has become synonymous with precision, consistency, and innovation, focusing on sustainable viticulture and meticulous vineyard management to express the nuances of its unique terroir. Their wines regularly receive high international acclaim and have helped redefine the image of Vinho Verde from simple, lightly fizzy wines to sophisticated, terroir-driven whites that can stand alongside some of the world’s best aromatic varieties.