Quinta de Camarate launches two singular and versatile whites

The white wines Quinta de Camarate Branco Doce and Branco Seco 2022 are already on the market. Produced by José Maria da Fonseca, at Quinta de Camarate, located next to Serra da Arrábida, these two wines come from clay-limestone soils and reflect the characteristics of the unique terroir of this property.

Quinta de Camarate Branco Doce 2022 reveals aromas of tropical fruits, is a sweet and velvety wine, with an excellent balance between sweetness and acidity, and results from the blend of Alvarinho (52%) and Loureiro (48%) grape varieties. This wine has a golden yellow color, a floral aroma that also combines some minerality. Its vinification is carried out in an open spout at 16ºC, and should be consumed while young at a temperature of 10/11ºC. It is ideal to be enjoyed as an aperitif or to accompany sushi and desserts, such as egg sweets.

Quinta de Camarate Branco Seco was born in 1986, and was originally produced using Moscatel de Setúbal, Riesling and Gewurztraminer grape varieties. In the 90s, there was a renewal of varieties in this wine, replacing these foreign varieties with two Portuguese varieties, Loureiro and Alvarinho. In 2007, there was a new change in the varieties used to prepare this wine, as Loureiro was replaced by Verdelho, with the aim of making it more complex and full-bodied. José Maria da Fonseca gradually reduced the use of Moscatel grapes in this wine, in order to give more preponderance to the other two varieties that make up Quinta de Camarate Branco Seco, with Moscatel eventually leaving the composition of the blend from the 2009 vintage. The 2022 vintage of Quinta de Camarate Branco Seco has 85% Alvarinho and 15% Verdelho, resulting in a fresh, mineral wine with a long aftertaste. Highlighting the light aroma of fresh and mineral lantana, green tea and mother silva. With a citrine color, it is a white wine that reflects the classic open spout winemaking process. It should also be consumed when young, at a temperature of 8º C, being the perfect accompaniment to fish or seafood dishes.

Property of the Soares Franco family for several generations, Quinta de Camarate is located in Azeitão and has a total area of 120ha, of which 39ha are dedicated to vineyards. The remaining area is used for grazing the sheep, which produce the famous Azeitão cheese, and which are featured on the Quinta do Camarate label. The ampelographic collection of José Maria da Fonseca is also planted on this property, which currently has more than 560 different grape varieties, from the four corners of the world.