Azevedo Loureiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde DOC

The grapes were harvested at night to ensure maximum freshness. Upon arrival at the winery, gentle destemming and crushing were carried out under the protection of inert gases to prevent oxidation and the juice was left on the skins for a brief pre-fermentation maceration to extract maximum aromatics. The juice was then racked off the skins and clarified to the desired degree. A cool ferment at 13-15°C using Azevedo's own yeast strain QA23 ensured that the bright fruit flavours of the grapes were retained in the wine. Following fermentation the wine remained in stainless steel for four months, during which time the fine lees were stirred regularly.