Mendes & Symington
Contacto Alvarinho was created by legendary Vinho Verde producer Anselmo Mendes.
Contacto Alvarinho was created by legendary Vinho Verde producer Anselmo Mendes. Anselmo was born in Monção, an area in the Vinho Verde region in Northern Portugal best known for the Alvarinho grape. He began his fascination with Alvarinho from an early age, going on to achieve worldwide acclaim for his faithful yet innovative work with the variety, and is recognised as one of Portugal’s finest white wine producers. In 2023 the Symington Family strengthened its long-running relationship with Anselmo by forming the Mendes & Symington partnership. This joint venture aims to develop premium wines from the prestigious Monção and Melgaço sub-region of the Vinho Verde DOC in Northern Portugal.
As part of the new agreement, the company acquired Mendes’ renowned Alvarinho wine,
Contacto Alvarinho is obtained from the noble Alvarinho grape variety grown exclusively in the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço. This sub-region is surrounded by a range of mountains on the Spanish border that protect it from the Atlantic winds giving warm days and cool nights. The temperate climate is characterised by a unique combination of precipitation, temperature and light; creating the ideal conditions for the grapes to mature.
The vineyards selected for this wine are near the Minho River where the soils are granite with a sandy loam texture. These low altitude riverside terraces benefit from the alluvial deposits producing the complexity, minerality and acidity typical of this variety.
The hand-picked Contacto grapes are carefully placed in small boxes and swiftly delivered to the winery to ensure freshness and quality. After a brief maceration on the skins and a temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine is then aged on fine lees for three months with regular bâtonnage.
On the nose Contacto has intense aromatics of white flowers interleaved with fresh citrus. Vivaciously fruity flavours of lemon, lime and pear on the palate are enhanced by an elegant textural minerality on the finish. Serve between 10-12°C.
