{"product_id":"azores-wine-co-arinto-dos-acores-branco-azores-islands-portugal-2022","title":"Azores Wine Co. \"Arinto dos Açores\" Branco, Azores Islands, Portugal 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFROM OLÉ \u0026amp; OBRIGADO:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE WINE: \u003c\/strong\u003e100% Arinto dos Açores. This version of Arinto has no relation to those on the mainland; it is a unique varietal which evolved over time to adapt to the extreme growing conditions here. Sustainably grown vines planted from 1984-2004. Tended in volcanic basalt at sea level, less than 100 ft from the Atlantic Ocean. Pico’s terroir contributes incredible minerality and purity on the nose, as well as unmistakable salinity. The palate offers the tension and brightness of grapefruit and under ripe stone fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE PRODUCER: \u003c\/strong\u003eJust one short decade after launching Fitapreta Vinhos in sunny Alentejo, António and two other partners founded the Azores Wine Company on the island of Pico (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) after becoming inspired by their shared work recovering the indigenous Terrantez do Pico varietal—not to mention António’s many childhood trips to his father’s Azorean homeland. The initial bottling of Terrantez do Pico made a splash in the wine world, receiving a top score from Wine Spectator, and a mention in their article “Breaking the Mold” in 2016. António and his partners own 100 hectares of extremely low-yield, walled vineyards (primarily on Pico) and purchase fruit from an additional 30 hectares across the archipelago, from regions such as DOP Graciosa, São Miguel, and others. These sites range from sea level to 500 meters in altitude, with the oldest vines averaging up to 80 years. It is from this stony volcanic terroir that according to Antonio, “these singular, saline wines are born, or should we say, erupt.” On cold and wet Pico Island, vines struggle to escape the volcano’s rain shadow grasping for sunlight along the island’s edge, where 500-year-old volcanic stone walls (known as currais) are all that stand between the plants and dangerously salty Atlantic winds. Making wine on Pico, according to António, is a constant “battle between the sea and the mountain” and he is one of very few who have succeeded in achieving ripeness in red grapes here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Azores Wine Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48959261180160,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0613\/3684\/6592\/files\/IMG_1160.jpg?v=1783465459","url":"https:\/\/patronsaintwine.com\/products\/azores-wine-co-arinto-dos-acores-branco-azores-islands-portugal-2022","provider":"Patron Saint","version":"1.0","type":"link"}