Adega Regional de Colares - 2021 - Chão Rijo Branco

The Colares Regional Winery, founded in 1931, is the oldest cooperative winery in Portugal. It currently comprises the majority of growers in the Demarcated Region of Colares, which is a very tiny region just west of Lisbon in the town of Sintra.

Their vines are grown in phylloxera-free sandy soils without rootstock grafting, located less than 1km (0,62 miles) from the Atlantic Coast at approximately 110m (360 feet). Of key importance is that they are completely free to crawl along the sand on horizontal cordons. In August, the grape clusters are propped with small cane sticks called pontões, and shielded by Atlantic winds with hand-made palisades of dried canes and wicker.

Colares Chão Rijo Branco is made with Malvasia de Colares (60%), Galego Dourado, Jampal and Fernão Pires grapes that were harvested in the beginning of September. Immediate destemming. Light skin contact (2 hours) inside the press. The resulting must was chilled (6ºC) and cold settling took place overnight. Racked to a stainless steel tank. Fermentation lasted 16 days, with temperature control (15-16ºC). Tank aged for 8 months, with regular bâtonnage. Bottled in Maio 2022.