Luis Pato "Vinha Pan" Espumante MAGNUM, Barraida, Portugal 2020

FROM SKURNIK WINES:

THE WINE: A sparkling wine crafted exclusively from Baga grapes, sourced from the Vinha Panasqueira vineyard in the Bairrada region. The viticulture behind this wine is rooted in precision harvesting, with early-harvested Baga grapes selected to ensure optimal acidity and freshness. The vineyard is characterized by clay-limestone soils, which contribute to the wine’s structure and minerality. The grapes undergo traditional method vinification, with fermentation occurring in bottle to develop complexity and finesse. The wine is aged on lees for five years before disgorgement, allowing it to gain depth and texture while maintaining its vibrant character.

THE PRODUCER: The Pato family has been producing wine at Quinta do Ribeirinho since, at least, the eighteen century. João Pato started to bottle the wine from his vineyards in 1970, becoming the first winegrower in Bairrada region after its demarcation. His son, Luis Pato, inherited this nonconformist and pioneer spirit. In 1980, Luis produced his first wine, a pure Baga, from an exceptional quality and absolute rareness that is sought by appreciators as a treasure. After experimenting with Baga over the years, Luis was even able to produce the first Vinhas Velhas wine from Portugal! However, in 1999, by personal choice, he left DOC denomination and now labels his wines as Regional Beiras. Pato’s 60 hectares of vineyards are planted with Baga and Touriga Nacional (red varieties), as well as Maria Gomes, Bical, Bairrada’s Cercial and Sercialinho (white varieties). The vineyards are distributed in two different types of soil: sandy and chalky-clay.