Quinta do Ameal Reserve

Tasting Notes Quinta do Ameal Reserva

The wine is complex and full-bodied, with aromas of apple, pear, apricot, citrus, orange blossom, and a delicate spiciness. Fruit, wood, and acidity are perfectly balanced. A wonderfully complex Vinho Verde made from the Loureiro grape with notes of vanilla and toffee.

Wine & Food Pairing

Quinta do Ameal Reserva pairs perfectly with many seafood dishes. Think of shrimp piri piri, gambas a la plancha, monkfish with mango chutney, grilled red mullet, and salmon tartare with lemon zest and chives.

Additional Information

The Lima region in northwestern Portugal is the birthplace of the Loureiro grape. The cool, wet climate and fertile granite soil provide perfect conditions for mineral, fresh wines that can age well. Quinta do Ameal's vineyards are organically farmed.

The grapes come from 2 different plots. After manual harvesting, the grapes are pressed, and the juice ferments in French oak. After fermentation, the wine ages for another 6 to 12 months in barrels, followed by 1 year of bottle aging.

A visit to Quinta do Ameal transports you to another world. This ancient wine estate is located in the green north of Portugal, on the Lima River, surrounded by pine, nut, and citrus trees. The nearby Atlantic Ocean influences the climate: an average temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius and abundant rainfall create a cool, wet climate where only certain indigenous grape varieties thrive.

One such variety is Loureiro, the grape in which Quinta do Ameal specializes. In this unique climate, on a subsoil of deep, fertile granite soils, it produces mineral wines with beautiful acidity and great aging potential. To best express the character of the grape and the region, the estate operates according to organic guidelines.

Quinta do Ameal is housed in an 18th-century parish. At that time, monks already made wine here. Now, the cellars have been modernized, and parts of the building have been converted into luxurious guest accommodations. The estate owns 30 hectares of land, of which 14 hectares are planted with the Loureiro grape. The remaining 16 hectares consist of beautifully landscaped gardens, forests, and green riverbanks.

Since 2019, the winery has been owned by the famous Esporão. Despite the fame and size of this winery, the authentic character and small scale of Quinta do Ameal are cherished. The estate is among the top Vinho Verde producers.

Awards/Distinctions

The estate is among the top Vinho Verde producers. Its wines are served in the best restaurants worldwide and regularly win awards at leading international wine competitions.