If you like vinho verde, you’ll love Quinta do Soalheiro Alvarinho Soalheiro, 2008. Quinta do Soalheiro is by far the best producer of Alvarinho and vinho verde [white wine from the Minho region in the north west part of Portugal]. They also marketed a Reserva 2007, which is outstanding, and another called Primeiras Vinhas. (I haven’t tried this one, but the critic is superb.)

In the last edition of Revista de Vinhos, there’s a long article on a vertical wine tasting of Quinta do Soalheiro, starting with wines from the ’70s. Suprisingly enough, some of the old wines revealed an extraordinary capacity for aging–this goes against the common knowledge that says vinho verde should be drunk young, the younger the better.

Alvarinho is an extraordinary Portuguese grape that deserves to be better known worldwide. In Portugal it’s now spreading to other areas besides the Vinho Verde region. It combines very well with Antão Vaz in the Alentejo and with Maria Gomes/Fernão Pires everywhere. I bet a combination with Chardonay would be an instant sucess.Alvarinho grapes also make for very good espumantes (sparkling wines), full of ripe and mellow tropical aromas, enlived by a nice acidity.