Anselmo Mendes

At A Glance

Region: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Vineyards: 130 hectares based on estate-grown grapes
Portfolio: More than 30 references
Reach: 60 countries
Vineyard approach: Sustainable viticulture

The Producer

Anselmo Mendes vinified his first Alvarinho wines in 1998 in a small artisanal winery. His vineyard work now uses integrated production and green interventions to reduce phytosanitary treatments. Grape pomace and stems are fully composted and, after analysis, used for organic vineyard fertilization.

In 2023, the Symington and Mendes families formed an equally owned company involving Casa de Rodas and Contacto. The joint venture produces Alvarinho wines from Casa de Rodas's 27.5-hectare vineyard, with Anselmo Mendes as winemaker, and acquired Contacto, a wine made entirely from Alvarinho.

Place

Contacto Alvarinho 2024 comes from low-altitude vineyards near the river. The sandy-loam soils are granite-derived, with alluvial and river-terrace features.

Wines

Contacto Alvarinho 2024 undergoes brief skin maceration, controlled fermentation and at least three months on fine lees with regular bâtonnage. Pale lemon in colour, it has a pronounced mineral aroma, citrus, tea and grapefruit notes, a creamy texture and a long finish.

Parcela Única 2022 is 100% Alvarinho from a single parcel. It ferments in new 400-litre French oak barrels, spends nine months there on total lees with bâtonnage, then ages for 12 months in bottle. Wet-stone minerality meets hazelnut, vanilla, refreshing acidity, verticality and a lightly smoky, long finish.

Muros Antigos Alvarinho 2024 is 100% Alvarinho from sunny hillside vineyards on poor granite soils. Fermentation runs slowly at 14-18°C, followed by at least three months on fine lees with regular bâtonnage. Lemon and grapefruit aromas lead into fine acidity, freshness, minerality and a long, pronounced finish.

Pardusco 2023 receives cold skin maceration, a long controlled low-temperature fermentation and complete malolactic fermentation. It is light ruby in colour, with slight spice, ripe red fruit, vibrant acidity, minerality, balance and structure.

Muros Antigos Espumante Alvarinho 2023 is 100% Alvarinho from Quinta da Torre, made by the classic method with a second fermentation in bottle. It has fine, persistent bubbles, a delicate perfumed nose, creaminess, structure and a long, soft finish with balanced, vibrant acidity.

At A Glance

The Producer

Place

Wines

Sources

Where to go next