4.5 Review: Esporão, Bico Amarelo
Recently, I’ve posted a number of reviews of red blends from Portugal. But red wines aren’t the only blends to consider, so today I’m highlighting a white blend from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal, the Esporão, Bico Amarelo.
“Vinho Verde” translates literally as “green wine” but more appropriately is translated as “young wine” as a Vinho Verde can be white, rosé or red. But one of the characteristics of a Vinho Verde is that the wine is released 3-6 months after the grapes are harvested.
Many wine drinkers think of Vinho Verde as a type of wine, but it’s actually a DOC designation from the Portuguese system to regulate the designation of origin for wines and some other agricultural products. The designation specifies the region where the grapes are grown, the varieties of grapes that can be used and the allowed winemaking practices in a wine labeled as a Vinho Verde.
The grapes used in the blend for Bico Amarelo include 40% Loureiro , 30% Alvarinho and 30% Avesso. Loureiro does a lot for the blend, adding floral and herbal aromas, lemon-like flavors and bright acidity. Sometimes it’s known to add a bay laurel aroma, although I didn’t notice that in this wine. Alvarinho is one of the most common white wine varieties from Portugal and adds richness as well as floral and tropical fruit characteristics. Avesso is a grape you don’t see as often, but is one you should look for. It creates very aromatic wines. If you ever come across a Vinho Verde made from 100% Avesso, I’d recommend giving it a try.
Tasting Notes
The aromatics in this premier vintage of Bico Amarelo are soft and quite pleasant, offering orange blossom, lemon and subtle pineapple fragrances. On the palate, it delivers lemon and mineral flavors with sufficient acidity to give it a brightness. The mouthfeel is nice. It finishes fairly long with lingering tart lemon flavors.
Wine: Esporão, Bico Amarelo
Varieties: 40% Loureiro , 30% Alvarinho, 30% Avesso
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 11.5%
Rating: 87
Average price: $12.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.
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