A relative newcomer to the Portuguese wine scene, Vicentino wines are produced by Norwegian farmer turned winemaker Ole Martin Siem who started farming in Portugal in 1984.
Just north of the Algarve border on the Alentejo coast, his agricultural company, the Frupor Group, is a leading European grower of Chinese leaf lettuce amongst other crops.
His vineyard, located close to Zambujeira do Mar, benefits from the cooling Atlantic breezes that are making the Alentejo coast increasingly popular with winemakers, especially for the production of white wines.
The vineyard is planted with Aragonês and Syrah for the reds and Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for the whites. There are currently two reds, two whites and a rosé in the range, amongst them this Sauvignon Blanc, priced at €11.95 in Apolónia.
Aged on the lees in stainless steel for six months, this is a Sav Blanc that has quite some body to it with good acidity and a vibrant freshness on the palate. On the nose there are tropical fruits and green melon.
Overall a wine that reminds me more of a nice Sancerre than the often New World-style wines made from this grape here in Portugal.
By Patrick Stuart
