Esporão has just launched the 2020 vintage of the Alentejo classic Esporão Reserva White. A rich and harmonious wine, with organic certification, that reflects the Esporão identity. Jorge Queiroz is the latest artist invited to illustrate the new Esporão labels with his work.
Launched in 1985, Esporão Reserva was the first wine produced by Esporão, resulting from a unique combination of the characteristics of the grape varieties, the soils, the maturity of the vines and the people. According to winemaker Sandra Alves, “Esporão Reserva White is our classic. A rich and intense wine that is always harmonious and expresses the distinctness and diversity of Herdade do Esporão”.
Originating from soils that vary between granite and schist with a loam/clay structure, Esporão Reserva White is crafted solely from grapes grown at Herdade do Esporão that are harvested by hand and then vinified in stainless steel vats and oak barrels. Afterwards, the wine ages for 6 months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks and new oak barrels.
In 2020, the winter and spring were mild and rainy, allowing the healthy replenishment of the vines’ water reserves, which resulted in good vegetative growth. Temperatures in the summer were hotter and drier than usual, leading us to begin the harvest about 2 weeks earlier than in the previous year. The weather conditions, along with the knowledge about our vines acquired over the years, enabled a selective harvest that maximised the expression and quality of each grape variety.
Featuring a clear, straw colour with greenish hues, Esporão Reserva White 2020 offers aromas with notes of grapefruit and apricot, as well as touches of mint complemented by white pepper and nutmeg. The fruit and spices are perfectly balanced on the palate, with a long and intense finish.
The new Esporão Reserva vintages are illustrated by Jorge Queiroz. This is part of Esporão’s initiative to invite an artist every year to enrich and customise the labels of each vintage, benefitting from the talent and generosity of over 30 Portuguese artists, as well as 2 from Angola, 1 from Brazil and 1 from the Netherlands.