Founded in 2014, Azores Wine Company has been instrumental in the promotion of Azorean wine and gastronomy, working with local indigenous grapes, and helping preserve the islands’ wine history. António Maçanita is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic winemakers in Portugal, crafting wines from the Azores archipelago to Alentejo, and Madeira to the Douro Valley, each one capturing the essence of the regional terroir and traditions. He was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 2018, and Azores Wine Company was named Wine Company of the Year in 2021.
We currently have four Azores Wine Company listings available in consignment. Read more below, along with links to purchase.
Azores Wine Co. Arinto dos Açores 2023
Arinto dos Açores is a unique grape native to the Azores, unrelated to mainland Portugal’s Arinto. These vines are planted in the rock cracks at the foothills of the volcanic mountain, almost touching the ocean. The vineyards are protected from the strong salty marine breezes by rock walls known as currais. This was native fermented in stainless, where it remained until bottling. Tight, bright, and crunchy with Asian pear, green apple, and hedgerow, lightly lined with stony lees through a super saline finish. Not shy on acid, this arrow of a wine sings of the windy, volcanic Pico.
Appellation : DO Pico
Region : Azores
Country : Portugal
Grape(s) : Arinto dos Açores
Price : $53
Case : 6 / case
Azores Wine Co. Verdelho O Original 2023
This is Verdelho o Original, aka Verdelho do Pico, indigenous to the Azores and Madeira. This is a different species than the Douro grape often called Verdelho, which is the Portuguese name for Godello. From volcanic basalt soils, and grapes 15 – 35 years old, this was whole bunch pressed, and fermented and aged for 6 months in stainless steel barrels, with battonage. Unmistakably saline and mineral, with tropical Azorean pineapple, passionfruit, and fresh, zesty acidity.
Appellation : DO Pico
Region : Azores
Country : Portugal
Grape(s) : Verdelho
Price : $53
Case : 6 / case
Azores Wine Co. Isabella a Proibida
The proibida (prohibition) of this wine necessitating the red line crossing out words here because this is an old vine/vineyard blend of Isabella, a hybrid grape that is not allowed for quality wine in the EU, and certainly looked down upon in the Azores and Portugal. However, winemaker Antonio Maçanita wanted to pay tribute to these old isabella vines, once in abundance and with 200 years history on this volcanic island, before phylloxera ravaged through. This was fermented and aged for a short time in stainless. Green and hybrid herbaceous, this weaves early raspberry, crunchy cherry, mint, and thorns across a brisk, bright palate, lightly framed with sticky tannins through a saline finish. Certainly unique.
Region : Azores
Country : Portugal
Grape(s) : Isabella
Price : $39
Case : 6 / case
Azores Wine Co. Erupção Vulcânica NV
From the 2019 vintage (local laws don’t allow the vintage to be on the label for this rogue wine), this blends Malvarisco, Bastardo, Rufete, Saborinho, Agronómica, Aragonês, Castelão, Touriga Nacional, and others from the volcanic soils of Pico. This was 30% whole cluster, and native fermented for 1 month on skins before aging in a split of stainless and barrels for 30 months. Pouring a pale red, this lighter (11%) red teems with tart raspberry, baked rhubarb, wild strawberry, woven with a line of reduction, and lined with negligible tannins. Mouthwatering from first whiff, this juicy, bright, marine red finishes with a sprinkle of star anise and pink pepper. Quite characterful. 6,666 bottles produced.
Region : Azores
Country : Portugal
Grape(s) : Blend
Price : $53
Case : 6 / case
Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.
Cheers,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
bernard@lesommelier.com
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