2021 Azores Wine Company Canada do Monte

2021 Azores Wine Company Canada do Monte is a striking white wine from the remote Atlantic island of Pico, in Portugal’s Azores archipelago. Crafted mainly from the rare, indigenous Arinto dos Açores, this cuvée captures the raw energy of ocean, wind and volcanic rock in an intensely focused, elegant style. Produced only in the best vintages and bottled with individual numbering, it stands as one of the flagship expressions of this unique maritime terroir.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Canada do Monte 2021 shows a pale straw to light lemon hue with greenish reflections, hinting at its youth and vibrant acidity. The nose is immediately saline and mineral, with notes of sea spray, wet stone and crushed shell, wrapped around precise citrus tones of lime, lemon zest and grapefruit. Subtle layers of green apple, white peach and delicate herbal hints emerge with air, alongside a whisper of well-integrated, older French oak. On the palate, this wine is taut, dry and linear, evoking comparisons to top dry Riesling in its tension and clarity. A core of citrus and orchard fruit is lifted by mouth-watering acidity and an unmistakable Atlantic salinity. The 12 months in seasoned French oak lend gentle texture and breadth rather than overt wood character, giving a fine, almost waxy mid-palate and a long, tightly wound finish. There is real depth and grip here, with a firm backbone that promises excellent aging potential. Drink now for its piercing freshness, or cellar confidently through at least 2034, when further complexity of honey, dried citrus and smoky mineral notes is likely to develop.

Production
Canada do Monte is sourced predominantly from very old vines of Arinto dos Açores (over 95%), complemented by small amounts of Verdelho and Alicante Branco, planted on the windswept, volcanic slopes of Pico almost at the ocean’s edge. Here, black basalt stone, maritime winds and salt-laden sea spray define a terroir unlike any other, with low-yielding vines often protected by traditional stone walls. Harvest is carried out by hand to ensure careful selection of perfectly healthy grapes in this challenging Atlantic climate. In the cellar, fermentation and aging take place in used French oak barrels (3rd fill), where the wine rests for 12 months, gaining texture and complexity while preserving the pure, saline profile of the fruit. Canada do Monte is produced only in outstanding years, and every bottle is individually numbered, underscoring its rarity and artisanal nature.

Food & Serving
This wine is a natural partner for all things from the sea: think simply grilled or roasted white fish, turbot or sea bass, shellfish platters, scallops, langoustines and oysters, as well as ceviche and crudo where its acidity and salinity can truly shine. It also pairs beautifully with sushi and sashimi, octopus, lightly smoked fish, and refined vegetable dishes featuring fennel, asparagus or artichoke. Serve well-chilled but not icy, around 9–11°C (48–52°F), to allow the aromatics to unfold. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes, or generous swirling in the glass, can help open up the layers of fruit and volcanic minerality, especially as the wine gains a few years of bottle age.

Producer
Azores Wine Company was founded to revive and celebrate the unique viticultural heritage of the Azores, where vines have been grown since the 16th century on tiny plots carved from volcanic rock. Based on the island of Pico, at the foot of the imposing volcanic mountain of the same name, the estate has quickly become the reference producer of the archipelago, renowned for its meticulous work with indigenous varieties such as Arinto dos Açores and Verdelho. The extreme Atlantic conditions—constant ocean winds, salt spray and dramatic temperature shifts—both challenge and define their wines, which are prized by enthusiasts for their purity, salinity and sense of place. By focusing on low-yielding old vines, sustainable viticulture and precise, terroir-driven winemaking, Azores Wine Company has brought global attention to one of the most singular wine regions in the world.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.