Quinta de Cidro Alvarinho
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Best enjoyed within 1 to 5 years of the vintage release, when its fresh fruit and vibrant acidity are at their peak.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
grilled sea bass, seafood risotto, fresh goat cheese
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Quinta de Cidro, located in São João da Pesqueira, is one of the Douro's most historic and revolutionary estates. Acquired by Real Companhia Velha in 1972, this property became a pioneering ground for non-traditional grape varieties in the region. Situated at an altitude of up to 600 meters, the vineyard benefits from cool breezes and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts, which contrast sharply with the scorching heat of the Douro Valley floor. This unique microclimate proved perfect for Alvarinho, a grape traditionally celebrated in the rainy northwest of Portugal. Here, grown in clay-slate soils, the Alvarinho grape develops a highly structured, mineral-driven character. The winemaking process typically involves fermentation in stainless steel to preserve the grape's intense primary fruit and vibrant acidity, sometimes accompanied by fine lees contact to add texture and complexity. The result is a wine that beautifully marries the aromatic intensity of the variety with the profound mineral depth of the Douro terroir.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1756 by Royal Charter of King José I under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal, Real Companhia Velha is Portugal's oldest wine company, representing over two and a half centuries of uninterrupted Port and Douro wine production. Based in Vila Nova de Gaia with extensive vineyard holdings across the Douro Valley—including prestigious estates like Quinta das Carvalhas and Quinta de Cidro—the company combines deep-seated tradition with modern winemaking techniques. They are globally renowned for their exceptional Port wines, ranging from complex Aged Tawnies to structured Vintages, alongside a highly acclaimed portfolio of still Douro reds and whites that showcase the region's diverse terroir. Official website: https://realcompanhiavelha.pt. Address: Rua Azevedo Magalhães 314, 4430-022 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.