Casa de Mouraz - Encruzado Branco

A white wine from the Dão region, produced by winemakers António Lopes Ribeiro and Sara Dionísio. The estate, located on the left bank of the Dão River, is a pioneer in Portuguese biodynamic viticulture, having obtained certification for its organic and biodynamic practices since 1997. The vineyards are cultivated with a holistic philosophy that emphasizes the entire ecosystem's health, avoiding all chemical inputs such as herbicides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers. The Encruzado grapes for this wine are grown in a parcel of old vines, with the Dão's signature granite soils contributing to the wine's characteristic acidity and mineral profile.

A commitment to minimal intervention defines the winemaking process for the Encruzado Branco. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a soft pressing. The must is then fermented spontaneously in stainless steel vats with natural yeasts. The wine ages in stainless steel tanks for a period, with no fining or filtration, ensuring that the final product is a pure and direct expression of the grape and terroir.

Tasting notes for Casa de Mouraz's Encruzado Branco describe a wine with a vibrant and complex character. On the nose, it often presents with aromas of citrus, white fruits, and subtle floral and mineral notes. The palate is known for its freshness and crisp acidity, which provides a long and elegant finish. The wine displays a notable complexity and structure, a hallmark of the Encruzado grape when it is carefully cultivated and vinified, and it offers a genuine reflection of the unique, granite-driven terroir of the Dão region.