Quinta da Romeira Prova Regia 2023 Arinto
€ 11.85 / €10,7 (>5 fl/btl)
Quantity discounts
| Starting at 6 |
|---|
| € 10.70 |
This wine is 100% Arinto, the main white grape of Bucelas (and elsewhere in Portugal also known as Pedernã; confusingly enough, the same grape, just a different name depending on the region). Arinto is known for its lively, almost crisp acidity, which makes the grape ideal for a region like Bucelas. In the glass, this yields a citrusy, mineral wine with notes of green apple, nectarine, ripe lemon, and a hint of jasmine, rounded off with a subtle creaminess thanks to several months of fermentation on the fine lees (bâtonnage).
The name Prova Régia, literally "royal test" or "royal inspection," is no coincidence. It refers directly to that royal past: a wine that was once literally presented at the English court and was well received there. The name is therefore a nod to a time when a bottle of Bucelas was still a gift worthy of a king.
Food pairing
A wonderful match with seafood, but also asparagus tart and salads, shellfish, white Fish, herring, pasta vongole, Prawns, Spaghetti Puttanesca, Dim-sum, Gazpacho
Grapes: 100% Arinto (Pedernã)
The vineyards are located 15 miles north-east of Lisbon, the historic Bucelas appellation is protected from the worst of the Atlantic weather systems by hills to the west and benefits from the moderating influence of the wide estuary of the Tagus river to the east. This favourable mesoclimate, combined with clay-limestone soils on rolling hills, provides the perfect growing environment for Portugal’s Arinto grape variety to ripen to perfection - accumulating great intensity of flavour whilst retaining a crisp natural acidity. With 75 hectares planted mainly with Arinto, Quinta da Romeira is purported to be the largest Arinto vineyard in the world. Bucelas was on the verge of disappearing at the end of the 20th century. The vineyards were increasingly being swallowed up by the encroaching suburbs of Lisbon, and hardly anything remained of the once-famous region but a handful of hectares. Quinta da Romeira, with its immense Arinto vineyard, is today just about the only reason why this centuries-old, once-royally acclaimed appellation has not quietly died out. Every bottle of Prova Régia is therefore, in a sense, a small piece of winemaking history that was literally saved from ruin.
Upon arrival at the Quinta da Romeira winery, the grapes were very carefully destemmed in order to preserve their character. They were then gently pressed in a pneumatic press and underwent a short pre-fermentation maceration on the skins to extract maximum aromatics. Fermentation took place in stainless- steel tanks at controlled temperatures of between 16 and 18°C. Following fermentation, the wine was kept on its fine lees for three months with regular bâtonnage to add texture and complexity.
Quinta da Romeira has been producing wines since 1703 and is one of the most prestigious estates in Bucelas, Portugal’s only exclusively white wine appellation. They are believed to have the largest Arinto vineyard in the world, with 75 hectares of vineyard dedicated almost exclusively to the grape, planted on clay-limestone soils. The property was bought by the Guedes family in 2018, who have invested heavily in the estate, improving the viticulture and, as of 2023, putting the talented Luís Cabral de Almeida (of Herdade do Peso fame) in charge of winemaking.
Quinta da Romeira has a remarkable history. During the Peninsula Wars, the Duke of Wellington used the estate as his headquarters, developed a taste for their wines and brought them home to London as an offering to King George IV. They soon gained a following in Britain, with celebrity fans including Charles Dickens and Lord Byron.
Alcoholcontent
12,5%
Store & Serve
Store in a cool place (around 12ºC)
Serve at 10-11 °C.
Critics & Awards
Tags: Lisbõa, Bucelas