Quinta do Ameal Reserve

Tasting note Quinta do Ameal Reserva

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

Food Pairing

Quinta do Ameal Reserva pairs perfectly with many delicacies from the sea. Think of shrimp piri piri, gambas a la plancha, monkfish with mango chutney, grilled red gurnard, and salmon tartare with lemon zest and chives.

Other information

The Lima region in northwestern Portugal is the cradle of the Loureiro grape. The cool, wet climate and fertile granite soil create perfect conditions for mineral, fresh wines with excellent aging potential. The vineyards of Quinta do Ameal are farmed organically.

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

Visiting Quinta do Ameal feels like stepping into another world. The centuries-old estate is located in the green north of Portugal on the Lima River, surrounded by pine, walnut, and citrus trees. The nearby Atlantic Ocean leaves its mark on the climate: an average temperature of about 15 degrees and abundant rainfall ensure a cool, wet climate in which only certain indigenous grape varieties thrive.

Such as the Loureiro, the grape in which Quinta do Ameal has specialized. In this special climate, on a subsoil of deep, fertile granite soils, it produces mineral wines with beautiful acidity and great aging potential. To ensure the character of the grape and the region are done justice, the estate works according to organic guidelines.

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

Since 2019, the estate 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 belongs to the top tier of Vinho Verde.

Wine scores/awards

The estate belongs to the top tier of Vinho Verde. Its wines are served in the best restaurants in the world and regularly win awards at leading international wine competitions.