J Portugal Ramos Alvarinho

João Portugal Ramos Alvarinho bottle image

Wine Description

João is considered by many to be the Piero Antinori of Portugal and a pioneer in the region focusing on lower yields, estate fruit, varietal character, biodiversity and sustainability. He and his family continue to innovate and more recently purchased property, planted vineyards and built a winery in the Vinho Verde, DOC. In 2013 he released the inaugural vintage of his single varietal Alvarhino.

Vinho Verde is the largest DOC located in the northwest of Portugal with 9 sub-zones so it is important to note the fruit source and for this wine the sources were chosen very carefully. The amphitheater-shaped mountain range of the region has the greatest influence on climate - the "natural shelter" that is created limits the Atlantic influence, which is characteristic of the region. Thus, in the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço there are higher average temperatures in summer (better ripening), lower humidity (less incidence of mold) and also lower average annual rainfall than in the rest of Vinho Verde region which allows the grapes to ripen harmoniously without being diluted.

Joao Portugal Ramos
J Portugal Ramos Winery
J Portugal Ramos Vineyard
Estremoz Castle
Winery Exterior
Marble Stone Lagares
Winery Aging Room
Winery
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Acclaim
“This wine comes from the Monção and Melgaço region in the north of Vinho Verde, spiritual home of Alvarinho. It has all the richness associated with the grape, with a strong layer of minerality as well as a zesty texture. Apples and green plums come through the young acidity.”
— Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2018
“This wine comes from the Monção and Melgaço region in the north of Vinho Verde, the spiritual home of Alvarinho. It has all the richness associated with the grape, with a strong layer of minerality as well as a zesty texture. Apples and green plums come through the young acidity.” (#90 of The Enthusiast 100 of 2018)
— Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2018
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Sub-region of Monção and Melgaço
Vineyard size
25 acres
Soil composition
Granite
Training method
Simple cordon superposed ascendent and falling
Elevation:
6 feet
Vines/acre:
440
Yield/acre:
2.8 tons
Exposure:
Southern
Harvest time:
Mid September
First vintage of this wine:
2012
Bottles produced of this wine:
20,000
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Alvarinho
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
15 days
Fermentation temperature:
61 °F
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Analytical Data
Acidity:
6 g/L
Alcohol:
13 %
Residual sugar:
1 g/L
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Wine Production

Partially fermented in new French Oak barrels and the remainder is fermented in stainless steel tanks with temperature control. After a pre-fermentation maceration at low temperature, the grapes are pressed and the juice clarified. Fermentation takes place at controlled temperature of 16ºC for 2-3 weeks. 10% is fermented in new French Oak barrels.