A white wine crafted from an old-vine field blend that brings together the indigenous character of Verdelho, Malvasia, and Posto Branco. Planted in vineyards where the age of the vines contributes to a concentrated expression of terroir, these varieties are cultivated under conditions that favor low yields and complex flavor development. The vines, steeped in tradition and nurtured by the local climate and soil, express a purity and individuality that is reflected throughout the winemaking process.
In the winery, traditional methods are employed with meticulous care. The grapes are initially processed using foot-treading in a lagar, a time-honored technique that gently extracts juice from the fruits while preserving their aromatic integrity. After this initial phase, a short skin maceration period is applied, allowing the wine to develop a subtle tannic framework and a nuanced phenolic complexity that enhances its structure without compromising its freshness.
Following fermentation, the wine is transferred to mostly used French oak barrels where it ages for a period of 10 months. This aging process in neutral oak vessels serves to integrate the components of the wine, softening its texture while lending a faint whisper of oak spice that complements rather than overpowers its inherent varietal character. The result is a harmonious blending of tradition, careful extraction, and refined oak maturation.
In the glass, Belfo White reveals a luminous straw-yellow hue that hints at its complexity. The nose unfolds with delicate aromas of bright citrus, white blossoms, and hints of tropical fruit, underscored by a subtle mineral quality reflective of its old-vine origins. On the palate, the wine is fresh and well-balanced, offering a lively acidity paired with flavors of lemon zest, ripe peach, and a trace of toasted oak, culminating in a clean, persistent finish that makes it an elegant representation of the region's indigenous varietals and traditional techniques.
