When Fernando Guedes acquired the esteemed Azevedo estate in 1982, he embarked on a transformative journey, pioneering the production of high-quality Vinho Verde.
Today, under the stewardship of winemaker Diogo Sepúlveda, the Azevedo estate continues to produce an impressive range of white wines, each characterised by a signature freshness and the expression of pure and precise flavours.
In a departure from the traditional high-trained pergolas typical of the Vinho Verde region, the Azevedo vineyards have been designed using a modern cordon-trained system, allowing the optimal exposure of the grapes and improved aeration of the vine canopy. The cover crops are planted between the vine rows and serve multiple purposes, including enhancing soil health, absorbing excess rainwater, and fostering biodiversity within the vineyard ecosystem.
The grapes were carefully harvested at night to preserve their maximum freshness. At the winery, they underwent gentle destemming and crushing, conducted under the protection of inert gases to prevent oxidation. The juice was then left on the skins for a brief pre-fermentation maceration, allowing for the extraction of maximum aromatics. The juice was then separated from the skins and clarified to the desired degree. Fermentation took place at cool temperatures of 13-15°C, utilising Azevedo’s own yeast strain to ensure the retention of the grapes’ bright fruit flavours in the wine. The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for four months, during which time the fine lees were regularly stirred.
This is a bright white wine with intense aromas of fresh citrus fruit, ripe nectarine, delicate lime blossom, and subtle herbaceous hints. It is wonderfully refreshing, with notes of citrus and stone fruit on the palette, accompanied by lively acidity. The wine culminates in a crisp and clean finish, with a slight effervescence.
Food pairing suggestion: Aperitif, summer salad.
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