VP-Vital COZs 2021
ArtisanalVP-Vital COZs is a well-balanced white wine made in Portugal from a little-known local grape variety, Vital. It ages for 11 months in used wooden barrels, acquiring softness and structure, without losing freshness and aromaticity: notes of white flowers, citrus, pear and yellow apple stand out on the nose, while on the palate it gives a full, beautifully acidic sip, accompanied on the finish by slight marine hints. A delicate and complex wine at the same time, to accompany fish dishes!
The artisanal winery Da Cruz e Teles, abbreviated as COZs, presents the VP-Vital, a Lusitanian white wine with a engaging and fresh mineral sip made from pure Vital grapes. The Vital is a rather sought-after indigenous white grape variety, mainly found along the Atlantic coast surrounding Lisbon and usually vinified in blends; thus, the pure version offered by the owners Tiago Teles and Antonio Marques-da Cruz is quite unusual. Some ampelographers have suggested that it may be related to the Malvasia family, although it tends to produce wines with a predominantly neutral aromatic profile.
The VP-Vital from COZs is a 100% Vital from 35-year-old vines grown according to the principles of certified organic farming on soils characterized by an abundant presence of clay and limestone. After manual harvesting, the grapes undergo white winemaking through soft pressing and alcoholic fermentation of the must carried out by indigenous yeasts only, without the use of additives and enological aids.
Subsequently, the liquid spends 11 months maturing in wooden barrels and is finally bottled without prior clarification, filtration, or additions of sulfites, in utmost respect for the expression of the terroir.Da Cruz e Teles VP-Vital has a straw yellow hue with golden reflections. The bouquet expresses precious hints of white flowers, broom, yellow apple, and pear, accompanied by citrus notes and aromatic herbs. Intense and enveloping tasting, supported by a beautiful freshness and a incisive savory-mineral character. The recommendation is to pair this Portuguese white wine with seafood cuisine and, particularly, staying within the territorial context, with dishes based on cod or octopus.