Why it matters
The producer
Esporão began in Alentejo as a family business and later extended its activity to the Douro and Vinho Verde. Herdade do Esporão is associated with Alentejo, Quinta dos Murças with the Douro and Quinta do Ameal with Vinho Verde.
The group’s farming record differs by estate. The Alentejo vineyards and all vineyards at Quinta dos Murças are certified organic. Bico Amarelo 2023 is the Vinho Verde white, blending Alvarinho, Loureiro and Avesso without added sugar or carbonation.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Quinta do Ameal lies in the Lima Valley within Vinho Verde, an estate dating to 1710. It covers 30 hectares, including 14 hectares of vineyard and 8 hectares of forest. Loureiro is the vineyard’s central white grape, producing white wines from the estate’s Vinho Verde setting.
Quinta do Ameal’s sites range from 12 to 53 metres above sea level and sit on deep, fertile granite soils. The combination of altitude, climate and granite gives the estate’s wines character and ageing potential. The Loureiro vineyards grow within this varied landscape, where elevation and ground conditions change across a compact estate.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
At Quinta do Ameal, an old cowshed was transformed into a winery in 2021, retaining the building’s natural ventilation. Rooftop solar panels were added that year. The cellar uses concrete eggs and tanks, stainless steel tanks and oak foudres, alongside minimal intervention, indigenous yeasts and low sulphur levels.
Bico Amarelo 2023 was harvested by hand. Whole clusters were pneumatically crushed, and the must was cold decanted for 24 hours. Fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats at 14 to 16°C, followed by ageing on lees. Lees are the spent yeast cells left after fermentation, and time on them can add texture without adding sweetness.
Wines to know
The range in view
Bico Amarelo 2023 is a Vinho Verde white blending Alvarinho, Loureiro and Avesso. It brings together Vinho Verde’s principal grape varieties in one regional blend, with no added sugar or carbonation. The wine is presented as a light, refreshing style with aromatic intensity.
Citrus and tropical aromas lead from the glass. The palate is fresh and lively, with good volume and a long refreshing finish. The wine is genuinely dry and savoury, with a crunchy, saliva inducing feel. At 11.5% alcohol, it is light and lithe.