Raza Single Vineyard Azal, Vinho Verde DOC

Raza Single Vineyard Azal is a single vineyard, single grape variety Vinho Verde. It is made from 100% Azal, a green-skiined, white grape variety planted primarily in the Minho region. It is often used in Vinho Verde blends. Single variety Azal wines are relatively rare.

The Quinta da Raza estate is located in Veade, Celorico de Basto, in the heart of the Vinho Verde (DOC) in the Minho wine-growing region which is located along the nation’s Atlantic coast to the north and east of the famous city of Porto. The region is most famous for producung Vinho Verde wines. Quinta da Raza has been owned by (husband and wife) Jose Diogo and Mafalda Teixeira Coelho since 1987, although the Teixeira Coelho family has been involved in winemaking as far back as the 1791. Today the estate comprises 50 hectares of prime vineyards, located in Lugar de Peneireiros in the Basto Sub-region (DOC), in the heart of the Vinho Verde DOC.

Quinta da Raza has a unique terroir created by the gentle slopes and magnificent exposure to the sun. The soil benefits from its granite origins with areas of schist and clay. This is very unusual in Vinho Verde Region. It has a microclimate created by the mountains in the west and the valley of the Tamega river which, unlike the other rivers of the region does not run from East to West, but from Northeast to Southwest, which together prevent the influence of the Atlantic winds. Therefore, there is less rain and a greater temperature range. This means the vineyards are subject to more sun than perhaps other vineyards in the Vinho Verde Region, which are important factors for the development of the vines. Additionally, the average altitude of Quinta da Raza is 250 meters, which corresponds to the best average altitude suited for growing grapes. In 1999 / 2000, significant improvements were introduced in the cellar, including new oenological and storage equipment. A new cellar, situated in the middle of the Raza vineyard came online in 2011.

The grapes for the Raza Single Vineyard Azal are carefully selected in the vineyard. After harvest the grapes are gently pressed and undergo a natural fermentation. The wine is left to rest on the fine lees in stainless prior to bottling to add complexity to the wine.

The name Vinho Verde translates literally as “green wine”. This refers to the wine’s youthful style rather than the colour!