Wine of the Day: 2016 Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Secretum

This unique wine crafted from the indigenous Portuguese Arinto grape variety, is a distinctive wine that has me craving it with Lobster Ravioli!

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My tasting notes follow:

Color – Very pale straw yellow
Aromas –
Very appealing Meyer lemon, ripe peach, sandalwood, and a hint of petrichor aromas
Body –
Full-bodied, complex and harmonious with vibrant acidity
Taste –
White peach, Meyer lemon, spice and grapefruit flavors with a pleasing wet stone minerality
Finish –
Long

100% Arinto|13% abv|SRP – $46 | 92pts

This unique wine crafted from the indigenous Portuguese Arinto grape variety is a distinctive wine that has me craving it with Lobster Ravioli!

About Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas

Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas (which translates to Full Moon in old vines) is a partnership between its three founders – João Silva e SousaFrancisco Baptista and Manuel Dias.  The three have had a passionate connection to the Douro valley for more than two decades.

The started making wines in 2009 with white wines from Murça, an area forgotten by progress, but that produces unique terroir driven wines.  In 2010, work began on an investment in the winery in Martim, Douro, and in 2012, in the cradle of Alvarinho, Monção region. In 2013, a partnership was started in Alentejo, vinifying, in third-party facilities, the grapes chosen and acquired in the region of Estremoz. In 2017, Lua Cheia has extended its presence into other Portuguese wine region – Dão.

In  2014 they sold approximately 600,000 bottles from the 3 regions, with more than 50% of production exported to over 20 countries. The main objective of Lua Cheia is to make wines that show the essence of each region, using the lessons learned from the “Old World” winemaking; to discover and allow the terroir to express itself.

You will find examples of this in the white wines Andreza Códega do Larinho and Nostalgia Alvarinho, as well as in the new blends, such as Maria Papoila with Alvarinho and Loureiro. As well, in the blends such as Touriga Nacional with Touriga Franca, or “Field Blends” of old vines. The path of Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas was made and will be made by the learning, studying and searching for its own identity with exceptional relationship of price to quality.

In the Douro, Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas produces the brands “Lua Cheia”, “Andreza”, “Colleja” and “Secretum”; in the Vinho Verde region the brands “Salsus”, “Maria Bonita” and “Maria Papoila”; and in the sub-region of Monção/Melgaço brands “Toucas” and “Nostalgia” – 100% Alvarinho.  Wines from Alentejo are produced under the brand name “Album” and wine from Dão is produced under the brand name “Insurgente”. (Source)

Where to buy: The wine is imported by Costa Nova Wines,  and may be purchased on their website.

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One Comment

  1. Lynn says:

    Thanks for sharing this wine and information about Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas. We’re planning another trip to the Alentejo and Dão!

Comments are closed.