Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White is an award-winning Portuguese white wine from the Alentejo region. This limited Vidigueira wine showcases the famed Antão Vaz grape in a premium blend and offers a truly authentic taste of southern Portugal. It delights with vibrant aroma, rich flavor depth, and a long, elegant finish, all while reflecting the heritage of its Vidigueira terroir. Below, discover comprehensive details on its tasting profile, grape origins, winemaking, food pairings, accolades, price, and related wines.
Tasting Notes of Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White
Aroma and Flavor: This Alentejo white wine greets you with a citrus-yellow color and delicately fruity aroma. On the nose it reveals tropical fruit tones intertwined with subtle vanilla and mineral hints from oak contact. The palate is fresh, full-bodied, and complex. Juicy notes of ripe fruit are complemented by nuances of honey and dried fruits, contributed by the barrel aging. Despite its richness, it remains beautifully balanced.
Finish: The winemaker’s choice of top grapes and oak maturation yields a smooth, long and very persistent finish. The finish is elegant and lingering, with a refreshing streak of acidity that leaves the mouth clean and eager for the next sip. This harmony of ripe flavors and bright freshness truly sets Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White apart.
Grape Origin and Region Specifics
Hailing from Vidigueira, a renowned sub-region in Alentejo, the Antão Vaz grape is at the heart of this wine’s character. Antão Vaz is an emblematic Portuguese white grape originally from Vidigueira. It flourishes in the region’s warm, dry climate and schist soils, developing high sugar levels that produce full-bodied, complex wines. Known for its vibrant citrus and tropical aromas and excellent aging potential, Antão Vaz imparts a powerful personality to the wine. In Vidigueira Winemakers Choice, this grape is complemented by a smaller portion of Perrum (another local variety) selected by the winemakers to capture the essence of Vidigueira’s terroir. The result is a DOC Alentejo white wine that embodies the region’s tradition of quality. Wine lovers seeking an authentic Portuguese white wine experience will appreciate how closely this bottle is tied to its Vidigueira origins.
Winemaking Techniques and Unique Characteristics
To craft this Winemaker’s Choice edition, only the best fruit was used. Grapes were likely hand-picked at optimal ripeness, and the Antão Vaz and Perrum wines were vinified separately before blending. A key differentiator is its period of oak maturation: the 2022 vintage aged about 3–4 months in new French oak barrels, which lends the wine refined notes of vanilla and spice. This careful barrel aging adds depth and structure without overpowering the fruit. The wine spent the rest of its development in stainless steel to preserve freshness. It was bottled as a limited production DOC, overseen by head enologist Luís Morgado Leão. The final wine has a moderate 13–13.5% ABV, indicating a ripe grape harvest and giving a satisfying weight on the palate. Overall, Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White is considered one of the most complex white wines produced by the Vidigueira cooperative – a true winemaker’s selection that reflects the pinnacle of their craft. Its combination of ripe fruit intensity, oak complexity, and regional character makes it a standout among Alentejo white wine offerings.
Recommended Food Pairings
The rich yet fresh profile of this wine makes it extremely food-friendly. It pairs beautifully with flavorful seafood and white meat dishes. In fact, it’s perfect with classic Portuguese cuisine – try it with bacalhau (salt-cod) loins topped with a warm chickpea purée, or an açorda de marisco (Portuguese bread stew with seafood) to witness a phenomenal pairing synergy. The wine’s full body and acidity can even handle moderately spicy preparations of fish or shellfish. Grilled prawns, garlic shrimp, or baked codfish casseroles will all be elevated by the tropical fruit notes and crisp finish of this Antão Vaz white. Its oak-derived nuances of honey and nuts also complement richer fare; for example, creamy cheeses or poultry in orange sauce are delightful matches. Whether it’s simple grilled fish, seafood risotto, or even roast poultry, Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White shines alongside them, enhancing the gastronomic experience of each bite.
Awards and Recognitions
Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White has not only pleased palates but also caught the attention of wine critics. It earned a Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and a Gold Medal at the International Awards Virtus, highlighting its quality on the world stage. In addition, the 2022 vintage received an impressive 17/20 points from Revista Vinho Grandes Escolhas, a respected Portuguese wine magazine. Such accolades confirm the wine’s excellence and consistency. These honors, along with glowing reviews, position this bottle as an award-winning Alentejo white wine that confidently competes with the best Portuguese whites. From its balanced complexity to its regional authenticity, every aspect has been recognized as top-tier.
Price and Availability (Garrafeira da Ilha)
At Garrafeira da Ilha, Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White is available in the €9–€10 price range, offering remarkable value for a premium white of this caliber. Given its limited production and high accolades, it’s a savvy buy for enthusiasts seeking quality Vidigueira wine without breaking the bank. The bottle is usually in stock and ready to ship, with taxes included in the price (final shipping calculated at checkout). Secure packaging and worldwide delivery options make it easy for international wine lovers to enjoy this Antão Vaz white.
Discover More Vidigueira Wines: In addition to Vidigueira Winemakers Choice Antão Vaz White, Garrafeira da Ilha offers other notable wines from this region. For a red counterpart, try the bold Vidigueira Grande Escolha Red (the winemaker’s grand selection red) which boasts stewed fruit notes and a full-bodied profile. If you’d like to explore another premium white, the Vidigueira Reserve White (aged in oak, with Antão Vaz, Arinto and Perrum) is an excellent choice for comparison. For a more casual taste of the region’s signature grape, consider the Vidigueira Antão Vaz White 2022 – a fresh, unoaked single-varietal expression perfect for everyday enjoyment. These related offerings allow you to further immerse yourself in the flavors of Portuguese white wine from Vidigueira, broadening your appreciation for this unique wine region.
