The RPM Wines EQ Branco—named "Equalizer" to reflect its precise balance of freshness and structure—is a thoughtful blend that seeks to bridge Vinho Verde's crisp, aromatic tradition with a textural depth afforded by minimal-intervention techniques. The wine combines Loureiro and Arinto (known locally as Pedernã), two of the region's most expressive and high-acid white varieties, sourced from vineyards on the granitic soils of the Tâmega sub-region.
The winemaking approach is defined by intentional separation and blending to achieve a harmonic complexity. The Arinto and Loureiro grapes, often from 15-year-old vines, are hand-harvested and begin their journey with initial skin contact to enhance aroma and texture; they are macerated separately—Arinto for three days and Loureiro for five days—before their spontaneous fermentation, using only indigenous yeasts, is completed. This fermentation and subsequent aging are carried out in concrete tanks (cement vats dating back to the 1960s at the Quinta), a choice made to maintain purity and minerality without introducing oak influence. Crucially, the wine remains on its full lees for nearly a year without bâtonnage (stirring), and it is ultimately bottled without fining, clarification, or added sulfur dioxide, ensuring the final cuvée maintains a high degree of natural integrity and a subtle, stabilizing turbidity.
The EQ Branco presents as a more structured and textural Vinho Verde than the light, effervescent archetype. It generally displays a clear, bright citrus colour and an intensely mineral-driven profile RPM describes as “Minerality, minerality, minerality.” The blend showcases a delicate interplay of varietal characteristics: the Loureiro contributes a lifted, exuberant floral and herbal nose—reminiscent of bay leaf or citrus blossom—while the Arinto provides the core of crisp citrus fruit and the foundational electric acidity. The wine delivers a harmonious balance on the palate, featuring ripe citrus (lime, grapefruit), a subtle stone fruit core, and an underlying saline minerality. The extended lees contact and concrete aging grant it a surprising mid-palate texture and weight, culminating in a long, stimulating, fresh, and complex finish.
