Maias Branco Quinta das Maias, Organic, high altitude vineyard, Dao, Mavalsia, Encruzado, crisp, fresh, delightful. A fantastic little organic wine made in the lesser known Dao region of Portugal. The Dao is a hot continental climate but parts are covered by a high plateau and some of the vineyard sites are located here at a over 600 metres above sea level. Quinta das Maias is one of those estates. The 15 hectares of vines are in different parcels and all are organic. The high altitude gives lovely acidity to the wine. The white is crisp, yet soft, stone fruits of white peach dominate with a zesty finish. Very drinkable and approachable white wine for all occasions.
Quinta das Maias is a fantastic little wine farm situated 600 metres above sea level on a high plateau in the Dao region of Portugal. They have always been organi and also his and Luis Lourenco who runs the estate is proud of this fact and also of his excellent wines which not only offer great, approachable drinkability but also fantastic value for money. The estate was originally planted to vines in the late 19th century however until very recently strict rules in the area prevented producers from bottling and selling their own wines and the quality was not great. Since the changes to the laws, forward thinking producers like Luis (who also owns Quinta dos Roques) have come in and started to realise the potnetial of the fantastic granitic terroir and the delicious local grapes, Jaen, Encruzado and Malvasia Fina.
Ian – 15/08/2017
Eschewing the ubiquitous prosecco, Jane and I broke open this lovely Portuguese number and drank it as an aperitif. It was a warm August day in a middling summer here in rural Aberdeenshire with golden fields of barley stubble around us and just a few hints of Autumn in the cooling westerly breeze. A Thai curry chicken is on the menu, but for now this crisp flavourful wine with ...yes stone fruits....peach....is just the ticket. Good price too.