In the glass
Aroma: bay leaf, lemon peel, white peach, fresh herb
Palate: citrus, stone fruit, saline lift, mineral close
Dirk Niepoort's serious-Loureiro project from the Lima sub-region: bay leaf, lemon peel and stone fruit over a saline mineral spine. Docil means 'gentle' in Portuguese.
What it pairs with
-
Polvo a lagareiro
Find polvo a lagareiro on TableJourney →
Bay-leaf register and saline citrus drive partner the olive-oil-roasted octopus; high-acid frame cuts the oil. -
Pescada cozida
Poached hake meets Loureiro's mineral close and lemon-peel lift; refreshes the palate against the broth. -
Grilled sea bass with citrus
Stone fruit and saline lift partner Atlantic white fish; citrus drive picks up the lemon dressing. -
Vegetable summer rolls
Loureiro's herbal aromatic profile pairs Vietnamese herbs and rice paper; racy acidity balances dipping sauces.
History
Dirk Niepoort launched Projectos in the early 2000s as a Vinho Verde initiative outside the family Port firm, with Docil as the serious single-variety Loureiro. The line is bottled in Vila Nova de Gaia under the Niepoort Projectos label.
- 2004 — Niepoort Docil Loureiro launched as Dirk Niepoort's Vinho Verde Projectos initiative
Facts
- Producer
- Niepoort Projectos Vinho Verde
- Grapes
- Loureiro (100%)
- Classification
- DOC Vinho Verde
- Oak
- Stainless steel; four to six months on fine lees
- ABV
- 11.5%
- Price
- EUR 14 to 20 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-7 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2004
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Niepoort Docil Loureiro
What does Niepoort Docil taste like?
Bay leaf, lemon peel, white peach and fresh herb on the nose; citrus, stone fruit, saline lift and a mineral close on the palate. Light-bodied with high acidity and a long clean finish.
When should I drink Docil Loureiro?
Drink within 1 to 7 years of vintage. Built for freshness but with enough acidity to develop three to five years in bottle as the citrus deepens.
What does Docil mean?
Docil means gentle or docile in Portuguese, a reference to the wine's accessible aromatic Loureiro register from the Lima sub-region. Bottled by Dirk Niepoort's Projectos arm.
What food pairs with Docil Loureiro?
Polvo a lagareiro, poached hake, grilled sea bass with citrus and vegetable summer rolls. The bay-leaf and citrus register is versatile across Atlantic-seafood and Asian-leaning cuisine.