Demeter CertifiedORGANIC CERTIFIEDNaturalLima sub-region
Aphros's Phaunus pet-nat range is bottled with minimal added sulfur and no fining or filtration, among the lowest-sulfite wines in the Minho.
Tip: Because sulfites are so low, store and serve the Phaunus pet-nats cool; they reward fresh, prompt drinking.
Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDNaturalLima sub-region
Constantino Ramos bottles the Juca Loureiro and Zafirah Vinhao cuvees with minimal added sulfur, hand-picked Lima-valley fruit fermented with native yeasts.
Tip: Drink the Juca Loureiro within a couple of years for the cleanest expression; low-sulfite handling rewards prompt drinking.
Demeter CertifiedORGANIC CERTIFIEDLima sub-region
Vasco Croft founded Aphros at Casa de Compostela in Refoios do Lima in 2003 and the estate became Demeter-certified biodynamic in 2007. The Loureiro, Vinhao and Phaunus pet-nat range made Aphros the reference Demeter producer of the Lima sub-region.
Tip: Phaunus is the easiest entry to biodynamic Vinho Verde; the still Loureiro and Daphne rose show the certified-biodynamic core of the cellar.
Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDmelgaco
Soalheiro at Alvaredo has converted significant parcels to organic and biodynamic practice, producing the dedicated Nature and Terramatter organic Alvarinho cuvees from granite-soil parcels in Melgaco.
Tip: The Nature Alvarinho Bio and Terramatter Alvarinho Bio are the cellar's certified-organic and practising-biodynamic flagships.
Demeter CertifiedORGANIC CERTIFIEDLima sub-region
All Aphros parcels at Casa de Compostela in Refoios do Lima are farmed organically and Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2007, the reference organic producer of the Lima sub-region.
Tip: Every Aphros wine is from certified-organic fruit; the Daphne rose and Loureiro are the easiest organic entries.
Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDmelgaco
Soalheiro produces the dedicated Nature Alvarinho Bio and Terramatter Alvarinho Bio cuvees from certified-organic granite parcels in Melgaco, the reference organic Alvarinho project.
Tip: Look for the back-label organic logo on Nature and Terramatter; both are the cellar's certified-organic Alvarinho bottles.