Quinta de Covela Escolha, 2005, Minho, Portugal

Quinta de Covela Escolha, 2005, Minho, Portugal »

Andrew Barrow

10 Sep

avesso, chardonnay, Portuguese Wine, Waitrose

Many will realise, may even respect, my ongoing search for the unusual wine – the striking label, the interesting blend or individual grape, the obscure region…
While the label can’t really be described as attractive, stylish perhaps in hip and happening down-town Lisbon circa 1980, the blend is the thing with the Covela 2005. Take a little Chardonnay, pour into a vat of the local Avesso and add ‘others’ (which the Waitrose website details as Gewürztraminer).

Avesso is a Vinho Verde grape; so one would expect a high level of acidity. The region this comes from, Minho, is also where Vinho Verde originates.

Review0.3
Wine Tasting Note: Quinta de Covela Escolha, 2005, Minho, Portugal.
Stockist: Waitrose Price: £9.99 [More: Adegga / Snooth]
An upfront crispness, a weighty Chardonnay-led, mid-palate and a minerally ‘wet stones’ finish. Add the complex flavours of unripened pears, a touch of greenness, a little lemon, a hint of sandpaper and plenty of tropical fruit medley and the result is the delicious Covela. Dry and full. Alcohol 13.5%.

Andrew BarrowScribblings Rating – 94/100 [4.25 out of 5]

The other joy of this wine malarkey is matching these interesting and tasty wines with food. Here I suggest Breast of Chicken with Pancetta and Creamed Leeks – where the wines acidity counters the creamy richness. Chardonnay is very chicken-friendly; just ensure they are free-range and they will get along brilliantly!

3 Comments »

Dylan says:

15/09/2008 at 12:55 am

I’ve never made creamed leeks before but that combination of ingredients sounds like a fantastic dish. Thanks for the suggested pairing.

Reply
Andrew says:

15/09/2008 at 11:54 am

The creamy leeks is really off-set by the saltiness and crunch of the bacon… a wonderful combination and with the wine – heavenly!

Reply
Nappy Rash says:

15/09/2008 at 11:30 pm

I totally love this one and am in danger of becoming addicted!

Reply

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