Niepoort ADN Alvarinho 2021 Portuguese White Wine 70 cl 12.5%

Two surnames, one wine project: the letters ADN stand for Anselmo & Dirk Niepoort, a partnership between the head of the Douro house and one of Vinho Verde's most respected winemakers.

Expert's Description

Niepoort ADN Alvarinho 2021 is a Portuguese white wine from Vinho Verde, made from 100% Alvarinho and bottled at 12.5%.

The grapes come from the sub-region of Monção e Melgaço near the Minho River, growing in poor granite soils that push the grape to concentrate its aroma and acidity. The wine ferments slowly in stainless steel and then rests for four months on the lees with regular bâtonnage, giving it more body and weight than a typical light Vinho Verde.

The wine is a collaboration between Dirk Niepoort, fifth generation of the Dutch-Portuguese family that has run the house since 1842, and Anselmo Mendes, one of the winemakers credited with lifting Alvarinho from an everyday drink to an internationally recognised quality grape.

The ADN series is Niepoort's way of moving beyond the Douro Valley, showing that the house's philosophy of terroir and minimal intervention can also be applied in other classic Portuguese wine regions.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Citrus fruit, green apple and a faint saline scent hinting at the closeness to the Atlantic.

Palate

Full-bodied for an Alvarinho, with ripe citrus, stone fruit and a creamy texture from the lees ageing.

Finish

Fresh and mineral with persistent acidity, giving the wine an appetising length.

Specifications

Name: Niepoort ADN Alvarinho 2021
Winery: Niepoort
Region/Country: Vinho Verde (Monção e Melgaço), Portugal
Type: Portuguese White Wine
Grape varieties: Alvarinho
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 70 CL
Ageing: Stainless steel (4 months on lees with bâtonnage)
Vintage: 2021
EAN no.: 5603977005709
Serving suggestion: Serve at 8-10°C in a white wine glass, with shellfish, fish or fresh goat's cheese

Flavour Profile

Citrus · Saline · Full-bodied · Mineral

Did You Know?

Alvarinho is traditionally grown so close to the Minho River that Atlantic sea air reaches all the way into the vineyards - one of the reasons behind the characteristic salty finish often found in the region's finest white wines.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Niepoort ADN Alvarinho 2021

What does Niepoort ADN Alvarinho 2021 taste like?

Full-bodied and citrus-fresh with ripe stone fruit, a creamy texture and a faintly saline, mineral finish.

What does the abbreviation ADN stand for?

ADN stands for Anselmo & Dirk Niepoort, referring to the two winemakers behind the collaboration.

Which grape is the wine made from?

It is made entirely from Alvarinho, one of Portugal's most acclaimed white grape varieties.

Is this a typical light Vinho Verde?

No, lees ageing with bâtonnage gives the wine more body and weight than a classic, young Vinho Verde.

What temperature should it be served at?

8-10°C is ideal, allowing both aroma and acidity to show at their best.

What food pairs well with the wine?

Shellfish, white fish and fresh goat's cheese all highlight the wine's citrus freshness and saline character.

Is ADN Alvarinho a Douro wine?

No, the grapes come from the Vinho Verde region in northern Portugal, not from the Douro Valley.