Winemaker Notes
The Rótulo Branco 2017 delights the eye with a brilliant and very light lemon colour, and offers aromas which initially present themselves as shy but exceptionally delicate, with notes of pear and white flowers beautifully balanced out by hints of stone. With some body on the palate, this is a silky white wine with beautiful texture provided by the pleasant acidity and citrusy character. It concludes with a long finish full of fruit and fresh herbs. A wine that offers a lot of drinking pleasure on various occasions!
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Producing some of the country’s most dignified and mineral-driven red wines, Dão is positioned in north central Portugal where granite mountains surround and shelter the region from any Atlantic maritime influence. Summers are long and warm; winters see abundant rainfall.