Mendes & Symington Alvarinho Avesso brings together two very different corners of Vinho Verde in one beautifully balanced white. Alvarinho from Monção provides structure, precision and a pronounced mineral backbone, while Avesso from Baião contributes freshness, aromatic lift and a softer, more generous texture. Tangerine, lemon and crisp green apple dominate the fruit, with delicate floral notes and a subtle stony quality underneath. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity but none of the sharpness sometimes associated with lighter Vinho Verde. Three months on the fine lees with regular bâtonnage adds texture and roundness, giving the wine enough substance to work brilliantly with food. It feels both refreshing and serious – a lovely demonstration of what happens when two distinctive Portuguese varieties and two contrasting terroirs are brought together with real precision.
Mendes & Symington Alvarinho Avesso, Producer
Mendes & Symington brings together celebrated Vinho Verde winemaker Anselmo Mendes and Symington Family Estates, one of Portugal’s most established wine families. The partnership combines Anselmo’s decades of expertise with northern Portugal’s indigenous white grapes and the Symington family’s five generations of winemaking experience.
The project is deliberately focused on terroir. Rather than treating Vinho Verde as one uniform region, the wines explore the enormous differences between individual subregions, grape varieties and vineyard landscapes. Alvarinho Avesso is perhaps the clearest example of this philosophy because its two varieties come from opposite ends of the denomination.
Alvarinho is sourced from Monção in the north, an area closely associated with the Minho River and some of Portugal’s most structured white wines. Avesso comes from Baião much further south, close to the Douro River. Mendes & Symington describes the wine as bringing together the mineral precision of Monção Alvarinho with the vibrant freshness of Baião Avesso.
Mendes & Symington Alvarinho Avesso, Terroir & Winemaking
The wine is a 50/50 blend of Alvarinho and Avesso, sourced from Monção and Baião respectively. These two origins sit towards the northern and southern limits of the Vinho Verde region and experience noticeably different growing conditions.
Monção is particularly famous for Alvarinho. Its combination of granite-derived soils, river influence and a relatively sheltered climate allows the grape to develop concentration and structure while retaining high natural acidity.
Baião lies much further south, close to the Douro Valley. Avesso is particularly associated with this warmer inland part of Vinho Verde and can produce comparatively full, ripe whites while still maintaining the freshness needed to balance them.
The grapes are harvested by hand into small boxes and transported rapidly to the winery. After destemming, they are pressed and the must is clarified at very low temperature for 48–72 hours. Fermentation then takes place slowly at approximately 12–16°C to preserve the aromatic expression of both varieties.
After fermentation, the wine spends three months on its fine lees with regular bâtonnage. This additional lees contact is crucial to the finished style, bringing greater texture and complexity while retaining the fresh citrus and mineral character of the blend.
Mendes & Symington Alvarinho Avesso, Tasting Notes
Bright lemon in colour, with a fresh and precise nose of tangerine, lemon and crunchy green apple. Delicate floral notes sit behind the citrus fruit, accompanied by a fine mineral character that becomes more noticeable as the wine opens.
The palate is dry, elegant and medium-bodied. Tangerine and green apple provide plenty of immediate fruit, while vibrant acidity gives the wine energy and definition. The three months spent on fine lees add a gentle creaminess through the middle, softening the acidity without taking away any freshness.
The finish is particularly impressive: clean, balanced and persistent, with citrus, apple and subtle mineral notes lingering behind. There is enough structure from the Alvarinho to give the wine presence, while Avesso adds an appealing freshness and generosity.
Mendes & Symington Alvarinho Avesso, Food pairing suggestion: Roast Sea Bream with Fennel, Lemon and Herby Crushed Potatoes
Did you know?
Avesso is one of Vinho Verde’s less internationally recognised varieties, but it plays an important role in the warmer southern part of the region. It is particularly associated with Baião, where the climate is more strongly influenced by the nearby Douro than by the Atlantic conditions found further north and west.
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