White Wine Quinta das Bágeiras Fogueira Branco 2023, 75cl Bairrada

Considered by Grandes Escolhas to be “perhaps the best white wine ever produced by Quinta das Bágeiras”, Fogueira Branco 2023 represents an unprecedented approach in the history of Quinta das Bágeiras, combining the strong classic identity of Bairrada with a more experimental expression. Made from Chardonnay, Cercial and Bical, it offers a different interpretation from the winery’s usual approach, while preserving the freshness and authenticity that distinguish Quinta das Bágeiras wines. In the winery, the innovation lies above all in the use, for the first time, of new 500-litre barrels, where the wine fermented and continued its ageing after harvest. The wine was aged without bâtonnage, in order to preserve its freshness and precision. The result is a white wine of great elegance and character, where the creaminess of Chardonnay combines with the firmness of Cercial and the vibrant acidity characteristic of Bairrada. “Complex, its silky and creamy texture tempers its acidity. With great aromatic intensity and beauty, including delicious citrus notes, as well as remarkable flavours, it is persistent on the palate, with a minerality that enhances its lively profile. A wine of precision and a ‘garage wine’ (it is a limited edition of 2,530 bottles), fermented in barrel and made from a blend dominated by Chardonnay (50%). An outstanding white that will benefit from bottle ageing. And further proof, if any were needed, of the consistency of one of Portugal’s great winemakers, Mário Sérgio Nuno.” Manuel Carvalho, Público