Gouveio
Herdade do Esporão
Colheita Branco 2023
Starting my 3 week exploration of Portuguese wines with this entry level white from Alentejo.
A blend of Arinto, Verdehlo, Gouveio, Alvarinho and Viosinho aged partially in concrete and partially in used wood.
Golden in colour with green reflexes. Nice character, southern in style, a bit (nicely) rustic with ripe lemons, dried herbs, a bit of white peach. A touch of spicy, waxy, smoky notes. Rich, savoury and fresh.
On the palate this is medium bodied, with nice balance & freshness. Good depth & length and suitable for late afternoon terrace sipping but also will hold its weight with food.
A very nice effort. — 5 months ago
Gueda
Branco Douro Malvasia Blend 2021
Bought this at the vineyard after a tasting over a year ago. It showed really nice last night. — a year ago
Casa Velha
Douro White Blend 2023
Casa Velha – Douro Branco Blend – 2023
Douro DOC – Portugal 🇵🇹
Overview
A vibrant and character-driven Douro white made from 40% Gouveio, 40% Viosinho, and 20% Moscatel Galego Branco. Sourced from the historic Favaios plateau, this blend captures the freshness, floral lift, and mineral grace that define the best Portuguese whites — all while staying completely authentic to its indigenous roots.
Aromas & Flavors
Stone fruits (white peach, apricot), citrus peel, and yellow flowers, supported by a subtle touch of spice and a whisper of honeyed aromatics from the Moscatel component. Fresh, expressive, and pleasantly layered.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a refreshing backbone of acidity. Textured, lightly creamy, and rounded, finishing with a clean, persistent, almost saline brightness. A hint of oak adds charm without overwhelming.
Food Pairings
Grilled sardines, Portuguese cod dishes (bacalhau), garlic shrimp, Mediterranean salads, or soft cheeses. Excellent with light poultry and herb-driven seafood.
Verdict
A deliciously fresh and subtly complex Douro white that punches above its category. Indigenous varieties shine beautifully here, crisp, aromatic, and genuinely exciting. Vegan-friendly and wonderfully versatile at the table. Cheers! — 21 days ago
Broadbent
Dão White Encruzado Blend 2022
Light & crisp from Tacaron on 10/21/25. Blend of Portuguese grapes. — 2 months ago
Mary Taylor
white Dão Encruzado Blend 2019
Wet rocks and some herbal/floral aromas that also come through on the palate with almonds and some salinity. Some citrus acidity but it's toned down from when we first had the wine. Bought at the L'Etoile Iberian Wine Dinner 8/4/22, don't know how it got lost on the shelf for 3 years! — 2 months ago
Textura Wines
Pretexto Branco Dao Encruzado Blend 2022
Med body, apricot. — 3 months ago
Caves Transmontanas
Vértice Gouveio Douro
Wrong label, but LOVE LOVE LOVE this wine! — 8 months ago
Freddy R. Troya
Quinta de Cidrô – Alvarinho – 2023
Douro DOC – Douro Valley / Portugal 🇵🇹
Overview
100% Alvarinho from the Cima Corgo sub-region of the Douro Valley, grown at higher elevations where altitude and continental influence preserve freshness and aromatic precision. This Portuguese expression leans more textural and mineral-driven than many Rías Baixas examples, with ripeness kept in check by vibrant acidity.
Aromas & Flavors
Ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, citrus peel, white peach, subtle orange blossom, fresh herbs, and a delicate saline–mineral edge that reflects the Douro’s schist soils.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a lively, crisp attack. Bright acidity carries the wine across the palate, while a gentle phenolic grip adds structure and depth. Clean, focused, and persistent on the finish.
Food Pairings
Grilled shrimp or prawns, ceviche, seared scallops, herb-marinated chicken, Portuguese bacalhau preparations, fresh goat cheese, or simply as an aperitif on a warm day.
Verdict
A balanced, refreshing, and highly expressive Alvarinho that showcases Portuguese terroir beautifully. The ripe pineapple character is distinctive without feeling tropical or overripe, making this wine both appetizing and dangerously drinkable.
Did You Know?
While Alvarinho is most famously associated with northern Portugal and Galicia, Douro-grown examples like this one often show more texture and mineral depth due to altitude and schist soils rather than Atlantic proximity.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits comfortably among my top white wines from Portugal. I love how it differentiates itself from classic Rías Baixas Albarinho, more structure, more terroir expression, and just enough richness to stay compelling sip after sip.
— a day ago