Ramos Pinto Adriano Porto White Reserva

Ramos Pinto Adriano Porto White Reserva is made by Casa Ramos Pinto in the Douro Valley, from a blend of the region's noblest white grapes, Viosinho, Rabigato, Códega and Malvasia Fina. The fruit is picked by hand from steep slate and schist terraces and vinified by traditional methods, with a light skin contact maceration that draws phenolics and aromatic compounds from the grape skins to build texture and structure. The wine is fortified with grape spirit, then aged for seven years in seasoned French oak. Unlike a young white port, this long wood ageing exposes the wine to slow oxidation, deepening the colour towards amber and developing nutty, candied character alongside the citrus fruit. The colour is golden amber. The nose mixes tropical and citrus fruit with candied orange and balsamic, spiced notes from the wood. The palate is rounded and dry to off dry, with marmalade, almond and a honeyed, savoury depth carried by good acidity to a long finish. Serve lightly chilled at 12 to 14 degrees in a small glass, on its own or as an aperitif. It suits salted nuts, hard cheese and lightly dressed seafood.