Vinho Verde: Quinta da Pegadinha
This is a small family vineyard and farm 15 km from the ocean, in the southern part of Vinho Verde, on the Cavado river. There are 6 hectares of vineyards, and 6 hectares given to cows and sheep. They make some cheese as well as wine.
I tasted with winemaker Felipe Lemos. The farming is integrated production, and they aren’t organic because this is too difficult with cows, says Felipe. This is because to produce the maize to feed them, it’s really difficult to avoid using some products that aren’t organic. In the vineyard the work is done with hand, and no herbicides are used.
Peghadinha Reserva Branco 2022 Vinho Verde, Portugal
Louriero. The grapes are harvested in the morning in small crates. Whole bunch pressed to 0.24 bar, then natural settling in stainless steel. Fermented in stainless steel and used French oak (half/half) with lots of lees work. Supple, fine and linear with detailed lemony fruit and some subtle saline characters. Such a lovely tension in the mouth, finishing fresh. Great balance. 94/100
Peghadinha Alvarinho Reserva 2023 Vinho Verde, Portugal
This is the second harvest from four-year-old vines. 1 m 60 fruiting wire, with umbrella sprawl of canopy to protect grapes from the sun. There’s a fabric mulch in the vine row. Pressed to 0.6 bar then fermented and aged in stainless steel. Fresh and aromatic with apricot and lemon notes, as well as lovely texture in the mouth. Bright and fruity with slight salinity. Fine spicy detail, showing expressive fruit. There’s a crystalline quality to this wine. 93/100
Peghadinha Padeiro Grande Escolha 2023 Vinho Verde, Portugal
This is foot-trodden in stainless steel tanks and given a cold maceration of 48 hours. Then it is fermented off the skins. Full pink/red in colour, this is bright and juicy, and so fragrant with lovely redcurrant fruit as well as nice acidity and a bit of crunch. Pretty and expressive with good intensity. Bright, linear and delicious. 92/100
