A vibrant, naturally sparkling wine that embodies the refreshing and low-intervention philosophy championed by winemaker Mariana Pala in the Basto sub-region of Vinho Verde. Named Suba, which means 'climb' in Portuguese, the name is a nod to the region's traditional, labor-intensive 'ramadas' trellis systems, which require vineyard workers to climb ladders to access the grapes. The wine is crafted from 100% Azal. This traditional white grape thrives in the high-altitude, mountainous terrain and granite-shale soils of Basto, where its late-ripening nature allows it to maintain its naturally high acidity even through hot, dry summers. The production method is pétillant naturel, or Pét-Nat, which involves bottling the wine while primary fermentation is still underway, allowing the process to finish in the bottle. This ancestral method traps the carbon dioxide, creating a gentle spritz and often resulting in a cloudy, unfiltered appearance due to the residual yeast sediment, a hallmark of this style.
Regarding sustainability, Peluda Vinhos commits to an ecologically conscious approach, including the traditional, low-impact practice of allowing donkeys and horses to graze among the vines in the winter to provide natural fertilization, thereby avoiding synthetic chemicals and promoting soil health.
On the palate, this Pet Nat delivers an inherently fresh, light, and easy-drinking experience, dominated by the typical Azal characteristics of crisp citrus and green apple, often complemented by notes of grapefruit and white peach. The natural fermentation imparts a pleasant, creamy texture and a faint yeasty, savory edge to the finish, making it a delightfully complex yet utterly thirst-quenching sparkling wine for the discerning enthusiast.
