Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas branco 2024

Luis Pato is one of Portugal's most important winemakers and the man who put the Bairrada region on the map. His family started the winery in 1970, and Luis built its name with innovative work in both red and white. This white comes from old vines of the local Bical, Sercial and Sercialinho grapes in the DOC Bairrada, in the Beiras. The region lies close to the Atlantic, and its cool, damp maritime climate keeps ripening slow and holds the grapes' high natural acidity, which gives the wine its tension and freshness. Bical brings citrus and apple, while Sercial and its offspring Sercialinho add structure and a mineral bite. The wine is aged on its lees, the spent yeast, which fills out the mid palate and adds a subtle creaminess without oak. It is pale straw in the glass, with a nose of lemon, green apple and pear over white flowers and a hint of almond. The palate is crisp and dry, mineral and saline, with a long fresh finish. Serve it at 9 to 11 degrees with grilled fish, seafood rice or roast chicken.