Discovered in the 15th century, the Azores archipelago is situated about 1400km west of Lisbon and is composed of nine islands with the distance between the islands furthest away from each other extending over 600km. After being discovered they were almost immediately populated, and wine production would start soon after. The islands produce very distinct wines due to their one-of-a-kind terroir, with a volcanic soil and strong oceanic winds.
By the 1830’s, in good years, the islands were able to produce up to 5 million litres of wine. In the late 19th century, just as in most of Europe, wine production plummeted due to the phylloxera, and even today, with the constant increase in production, the Azores still does not produce as much wine as it did in the mid-19th century. However, in the late 1980s investments were made to restore the traditions of winemaking, and the classic grapes associated with islands, such as Arinto de Açores, Verdelho, and Terrantez do Pico were planted often for the first time since the plague, being preferred over North American grapes that are more resistant to the phylloxera.
The islands are home to three distinct appellations: the Graciosa DOC, the Pico DOC and the Biscoitos DOC. Originally, a lot of the wine production from the Azores would go into making Madeira wine, and the region itself is famous for its fortified wine. The Graciosa DOC status exists exclusively for the lighter style of white wines produced in the Graciosa Island by the local cooperative. The other two DOCs are for fortified wines made in sections of the islands of Pico (Pico DOC) and Terceira (Biscoitos DOC), unfortified wine is also made in these islands and is attributed the appellation of Regional Wine of the Azores (IG Açores).
Due to the strong Atlantic winds, in the island of Pico, protective walls made from black volcanic rock named "currais", are built around the grape vines. This creates a unique landscape, as shown in the pictures. While this is also done in the other islands, to a lesser degree, it is the Pico Island vineyards that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From the Azores islands, we are pleased to present to you Casa Santos Lima’s Arquipélago, a non-fortified white wine composed of a blend of the aforementioned white grapes: Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho, and Terrantez do Pico. Grown within the same currais shown in the picture above.
After being harvested, the grapes are stored at low temperatures for 24 hours. After this period, they are completely destemmed, crushed, and undergo a natural settling process at low temperature for 48 hours. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with capacities ranging from 50 liters to 1000 liters. The temperature is controlled at 13ºC for 21 days. The blend ages for 5 months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels.
With a lemon-yellow colour, and a complex nose with tropical notes, lemon, light vegetal, and sea notes that highlight its minerality. On the palate, it is unctuous and vibrant with a balanced acidity. Long, persistent, and complex finish where pineapple notes are evident again, and a saline sensation dominated by flint takes us back to its origin.
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