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Hugo Mendes - 2023 - Pitau Tinto Clarete

Sale price€11,00

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Crafted by the trio of Hugo Mendes, Miguel Ribeiro, and Miguel Nunes, this clarete wine echoes the spirit of traditional field blends. Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional grapes are hand-picked to achieve a harmonious balance at peak ripeness. All the grapes are destemmed before natural yeast fermentation in a closed tank. To maximize flavor extraction, the must receives regular pump-overs three times a day for two days. Fermentation finishes in stainless steel tanks without temperature control. The wine is then gently racked three times to remove sediment and preserve the wine's fresh fruit character. Notably, this wine undergoes no stabilization before bottling, and natural tartaric crystals may form with chilling, a testament to its minimal intervention approach.

Hugo Mendes - 2023 - Pitau Tinto Clarete
Hugo Mendes - 2023 - Pitau Tinto Clarete Sale price€11,00

Learn more about

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.