Viva Vino Verde
- Diana Thompson
- Jan 13, 2025
- 3 min read
Home to over 250 indigenous grape varieties, Portugal boasts an incredible diversity of wines produced across the length and breadth of this beautiful country. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Quinta do Ameal in the Vinho Verde region, located in the far north of Portugal, bordering Spain.
Historically, premium quality wines were almost unheard of in this region. According to Ameal’s winemaker, Mafalda Magalhães, the wines were typically “gas and sugar”. They were cheap, highly acidic and off-dry with an injection of carbon dioxide to add some refreshing bubbles making them more palatable.
In the 1990s, Ameal set out to redefine the potential of Vinho Verde. Transforming a 30-hectare cow farm into a vineyard, Ameal planted 15 hectares dedicated exclusively to the Loureiro grape, a native variety of the region.
Being close to the River Lima, the soil is alluvial, which naturally contributes to the wines’ richness and character offering depth, complexity, and distinctive personality.
Quinta do Ameal Wine Range
The range consist of four main wines, each showcasing the unique qualities of the Vinho Verde region:
Bico Amarelo
Price: Under £10
An entry-level white blend made with fruit sourced from neighbouring properties. This wine is fresh, with ripe tropical fruit, herbal hints and vibrant acidity – perfect for everyday enjoyment.
Ameal Loureiro
Price: approx. £13
This is where the aromatic Loureiro grape variety comes into play. Stainless-steel-fermented, the wine offers a richer, more refined style. It retains freshness and attractive aromatics, with a touch of bay leaf – a hallmark of the Loureiro variety, which inspired its name.
Ameal Reserva
Price: £13–£14
A step up in complexity, this wine is aged in Austrian foudres, imparting spice and cedar notes. It’s fuller-bodied yet maintains the hallmark elegance and freshness of the range.
Solo Único
Price: Just over £20
The standout in this range, Solo Único, is fermented in square concrete tanks rather than the more common egg-shaped concrete vessels. The square tanks prevent the continuous movement which occurs in eggs, resulting in the desired softer, more balanced style. Concrete eggs meanwhile are great for many other styles including the base for sparkling wines – watch this space!
The fragmented granite soil here adds intensity and elegance whilst retaining the hallmark aromatic character of Loureiro. With its elegant profile, it shares similarities with Riesling, offering both intensity and finesse along with great age ability.
his quartet of Quinta do Ameal wines classically demonstrates the diverse expressions of Loureiro and the region, each offering a unique take on the terroir’s potential.
The Quinta do Ameal wines have remarkable acidity and structure, allowing them to age beautifully. After tasting some older vintages, I would highly recommend the classic strategy of buying a case (or two) and enjoying one bottle each year just to appreciate how they evolve.
Quinta do Ameal: A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
Esporão’s Vision for Ameal
In 2019, Esporão, one of Portugal’s leading wine companies, acquired Ameal. The company is continuing to bring these wines to the centre stage, highlighting just what Vinho Verde together with Loureiro is capable of. Esporão’s philosophy is rooted in nature, biodiversity, and sustainability, and while most of Ameal’s vineyards aren’t organic due to climate factors, the wines are made as naturally as possible and it’s not surprising the vineyards are surrounded by plenty of wildlife and nature.
Experimentation and Exciting Developments
Ameal isn’t just producing fantastic wines – they’re having fun experimenting too! Throughout the winery, you’ll find small kegs, barrels, and containers tucked away, each holding something new and intriguing which Mafalda is yet to reveal. One particularly exciting project is the upcoming sparkling wine, set to be launched next year.
Time will reveal the next big excitement, but as they say at Esporão “SLOW FORWARD”
Where to Find the Wines
These wines are available at numerous independents around the UK and online including Great Grog (Edinburgh), Wine Cabinet (Aberdour), Luvians (Cupar and St Andrews) Juniper (Dunfermline), Haddington Wines, Good Spirit (Glasgow), Villeneuve (Peebles) and Vino (Edinburgh).
All prices are correct at time of article release.
