Luis Pato María Gomes 2023

Maria Gomes is a young white from Luis Pato in the DOC Bairrada, in the Beiras region of Portugal, made from the native Maria Gomes grape, also known as Fernão Pires. The Pato family founded the winery in 1970 at Quinta do Ribeirinho and were the first to bottle in Bairrada, with Luis known in the region as an innovator. Bairrada lies close to the Atlantic, and its cool, damp maritime climate combined with clay and limestone soils gives white wines a fresh, aromatic style. Maria Gomes is a naturally perfumed grape, prized for its floral, citrus aromatics, and here it is made young and unoaked to keep that lift and immediacy intact, with fermentation aimed at preserving the primary fruit and freshness rather than adding structure. It pours pale with green tints, offering an expressive nose of white flowers, orange peel and white peach with a rose and citrus lift. The palate is light to medium bodied and dry, with fresh acidity and a clean, gently floral finish. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees.