Humus Rosé 2023

Encosta da Quinta is a family project in Alvorninha, in the Lisboa wine region of Portugal, run by self-taught winemaker Rodrigo Filipe, who produces natural wines by conviction in a traditional, intuitive way. This Humus Rosé is made from Touriga Nacional, Portugal's leading native red grape, here vinified pale and fresh. The vineyards lie between the Atlantic Ocean and the Serra dos Candeeiros in the Obidos area, where the cooling maritime influence and limestone-clay soils slow ripening and preserve acidity, giving wines that are light and savoury rather than heavy. Farming is organic and the cellar work is natural and low-intervention, with native-yeast fermentation and ageing in barrel that adds texture without obvious oak character; the wine is unfiltered. It pours a pale pink. The nose shows red berry, citrus peel and an earthy, savoury edge that reflects the natural approach and the coastal site. The palate is dry, light and fresh, the red fruit and white peach carried by bright acidity to a clean, faintly earthy finish. Serve lightly chilled at 9 to 11 degrees.