What white wine to serve with starters on Christmas Day depends, of course, on what we are serving, but if going down the route of smoked salmon or seafood, I can think of few wines better than a good Alvarinho.
It’s such a versatile grape, championed of course by the Minho region of Portugal and the nearby Rías Baixas region of Spain that typically produces smooth drinking and subtly perfumed wines with notes of pear and grass.
It is my favourite of all white wine grapes and its versatility has been shown by the heights to which it has been taken by some of the top Portuguese producers such as Soalheiro with their stunning Primeiras Vinhas and their oak fermented Soalheiro Reserva.
It is only in recent years that the grape has started to be grown elsewhere in Portugal and one good example is this Grand’Arte Alvarinho produced by José Neves Correia in the Lisbon region.
The wine has received considerable acclaim having won a gold medal at Mundus Vini and a silver from International Wine & Spirit, both for the 2012 vintage. The 2013 which is currently available (priced around €9) is equally good, pale yellow in colour with well-balanced acidity and a fresh yet creamy finish.
By PATRICK STUART [email protected]
