Muros Antigos Escolha 2025

Anselmo Mendes works from his family estate in Monção, in the Minho region of northern Portugal, close to the Galician border. His command of Albariño and the local Loureiro and Avesso grapes is well established, and this Vinho Verde blends all three. The vineyards are heavily influenced by the Atlantic, where cool temperatures and high rainfall keep ripening slow and preserve the sharp natural acidity that defines the region. Each grape plays a part: Loureiro brings floral aromatics, Avesso adds body and stone fruit, and Albariño contributes citrus and a saline mineral edge. After fermentation the wine spends three months on its lees, the spent yeast cells, which adds a light creaminess and depth without masking the freshness. The wine is straw yellow with greenish highlights, and the nose leads with lemon, green apple and white peach over white flowers. The palate is crisp and vibrant, dry and mineral, with a clean saline finish. This is a wine to drink young and cold. Serve it at 8 to 10 degrees with shellfish, grilled sardines or a green salad.