Defesa do Esporão White 2016
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Wine Concept
A wine with a contemporary style, having an elegant and intense profile. The wines show the character of the selected vineyard parcels on the Estate.
Agriculture
Spring had lower temperatures and higher humidity than in previous years – ideal climatic conditions for fungal diseases in the vines, implying increased care to avoid mildew attacks. The cooler temperatures at this time of year provided a longer period of vegetative growth and, despite the heat felt since July, the beginning of the harvest took place about 10 days later than usual. The hot weather continued throughout the harvest, fruit condition was excellent. Despite the heat, sugar levels were normal and acidities a little lower than normal.
SOIL TYPE
Granite/schist rock with clay/loam soil
AVERAGE AGE OF VINES
18 years
Grape Varieties
Antão Vaz, Arinto, RoupeiroVinification / Maturation
Destemming, must chilling, skin maceration, pneumatic pressing, cold settling, fermentation temperature control with selected yeast inoculation in stainless steel tanks, centrifuging, fining, cold stabilization and filtration.
More Information
In the 18th century, João de Aboim, a descendent of Egas Moniz and an important figure in the time of King Afonso III, created, from the different lands given by the Monsaraz and Portel municipalities, Defesa do Esporão one of the oldest estates of this type in Southern Portugal.
Defesas were large demarcated estates that were defended against grazing cattle from other areas and directly linked to the founding of Portugal during the Christian reconquest of the south. Examples of agro-forestry and pastoralist systems, defesas had a variety of uses. Deriving from the Mediterranean forest, at the time of the founders, the defesas reclaimed land from forests for the purpose of pasture.
Defesa do Esporão was one of the key examples of this type of estate linked to the founding of Portugal. Its boundaries, which were established in the late-13th century by a charter kept at Torre do Tombo national archive, have remained unchangend until today.
For centuries, the estate has employed agro-forestry and pastoralist methods based on the preservation of biodiversity and a multifunctional system that Esporão considers best practice to protect our ecosystem.
Wine Makers
David Baverstock and Sandra Alves
Colour
Crystal clear, citric.
Aroma
Stone fruit notes of plum and apricot, with intense citric freshness.
Palate
Rich, intense, textured fruity palate, well balanced, persistent acidity to finish.