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Hugo Mendes - 2022 - Tejo Branco

Sale price€18,00

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This white wine showcases the Fernão Pires grape through a unique dual-fermentation process. Fifty percent of the grapes undergo a skin-fermentation technique, resulting in an "orange-style" wine matured for eight months on the skins. The remaining half experiences a more traditional fermentation without temperature control. This approach emphasizes Chinado's philosophy of minimal intervention, prioritizing old-world techniques while minimizing technological influence. As with all their wines, the grapes are sourced from vineyards practicing sustainable agriculture. Notably, minimal sulfur is the only additive employed during the winemaking process.

Hugo Mendes - 2022 - Tejo Branco
Hugo Mendes - 2022 - Tejo Branco Sale price€18,00

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Hugo Mendes

Hugo Mendes' path took an unexpected turn. Though he received a degree in Biotechnological Engineering in 2005, his true passion was wine. That same year, he began working at Quinta da Murta in Portugal's Bucelas region, quickly rising from cellar worker to Head Winemaker by 2010. Throughout this time, his love for wine deepened, and he established himself as "The Wizard Apprentice" through a popular blog dedicated to simplifying winemaking for enthusiasts.

By 2016, Hugo craved the freedom to explore other local grape varietals. He launched a pioneering crowdfunding campaign for wine production in Portugal, the first of its kind. This approach, which he called "patrons," allowed consumers to pre-purchase his wine at a discounted price, essentially financing his independent venture. This successful endeavor became a way to challenge the notion that winemaking required significant upfront capital.

Leaving Quinta da Murta in 2019, Hugo dedicated himself fully to his own label. He focuses on lesser-known Portuguese grapes, working his magic on traditional Lisboa varieties like Fernão Pires, Vital, and Arinto. His exploration extends beyond Lisboa, where he champions Castelão in Tejo and has even collaborated with XXVI Talhas to produce a unique Alentejo talha wine under his "Underdog" label.