Casa de Mouraz, "Clarete" 2020

Producer Profile: In the heart of north-central Portugal, the famous river Dâo flows peacefully between the steep, vineyard-dotted slopes of pristine granite its course has long carved out. In the middle of this prominent wine region, a hamlet covering no more than ~4 square miles with no more than several hundred residents was & is again the home of the winemaker Antonio Lopes Ribiero. Having grown up in Mouraz among the Estrela and Caramulo Mountains, his professional life landed him in the big city, Lisbon. This is where he met his partner in life & what would become a life of wine, Sara Dionisio. Moving back to Mouraz – a hamlet with itself a viticultural history dating back to the 12th century, thanks to the vines planted by the Cister Monks of the monastery St. Pedro de Mouraz – in the mid-90s, Antonio & Sara were able to inherit some heirloom vines which they immediately began converting into organic cultivation. In 2000, they would become the first certified organic vineyard in all of the Dâo. Currently practicing biodynamic and with, among other things, a staunch commitment to the local grape varieties, the couple have long been crafting minerally & fresh delights from the gnarly old vines grown on a picturesque knoll in this little corner of the Dâo.

Vinification: A field blend of red and white varietals, including Alvarelhão, Jaen, Trincadeira and Fernão Pires. Grapes are hand-harvested and cofermented in stainless steel using wild yeasts. Bottled unfined, unfiltered with no SO2. 

Tasting: Inspired by and named after the classic Spanish style "Clarete," in which red and white grapes are cofermented to conoct a delicate, dark rosato. Casa de Mouraz's version is floral on the nose, light-bodied, mineral-driven, vibrantly acidic and bursting with juicy red fruits. Serve with a chill.