Quartzo 2016 White
Made from multiple ancient grape varieties of centuries-old vineyards, consociated with olive groves, located in the parish of Reguengo, in the Natural Park of Serra de S. Mamede (Portalegre). The altitudes of the vines vary between 550 and 735 meters. The soil is very old granite and very eroded (Ordovician). The productions are very low. This wine is a lot of four "field blend" of other small vineyards.
Year of Harvest
Winter of medium high temperature for the season and normal rainfall.
Cold and extremely rainy spring, especially the month of May, with several records of precipitation being struck a little throughout the country, and with consequent problems in the control of mildew. In our vineyard, "bio-treatments" before, between and soon after the rains managed to quell the fungal attacks.
Extremely dry and hot summer. The 2nd hottest and the 5th driest since the year 1931.
The month of August was the hottest since 1931, and a heatwave on September 5 and 6 precipitated a slow and heterogeneous maturation. This heat wave was only a higher temperature peak than the continuous heat that it was this summer. We started the harvest on day 5 and finished on the 16th, already after some rain on September 13, which came to soften the maximum temperatures. Surprising in this harvest, the generalized quality of white wines (unexpected for such high temperatures) and the strong and cheeky tannin claw of red wines (already expected) will require more stage time than usual.
Winemaking
Healthy and whole grapes were harvested from 6 to 10 September 2016. After crushing and pressing their wort was decanted for 48 hours. It was then transferred to a cement tank (built in 1952), where it was fermented. Afterwards,
the stage of 12 months in old barrels with a final finish in stainless steel. The wine was bottled on 8 September without being glued or filtered. This white wine is an "entire" wine.
Chemical analysis
Total Acidity: 5.5 g/dm3
Acidity Volatile: 0.58 g/dm3
Total Sugars: 0.4 g/dm3
pH 3.34
Alcohol: 13.5% Vol.
Properties
Characteristics | |
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The Winery: Cabeças do Reguengo |
Brand: Quartzo | |
Region: Alentejo | |
Type: White | |
Vintage: 2016 | |
Alcoholic Level: 13,5% | |
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Grape Varieties: Arinto, Assario, Fernão Pires, Roupeiro, Alicante, Rabo de Ovelha, Tamarez, Manteúdo, Uva Rei, Uva Formosa, Salsaparrilha |
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Winemaker: Mário Andrade |
Format: 75cl | |
Tasting | |
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Nose: In the nose the notes of fruits are undefined. We can think of citrus and peach, but it is the mineral side that dominates the whole set. |
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Mouth: In the mouth is very fresh and elegant. Very fine texture, excellent test harmony, long finish, soft and lightly spicy. |
Tasting Notes: An intense white wine with mineral and smoky notes. |