In the glass
Aroma: green apple, lime, white flowers, fresh herb
Palate: citrus, soft fruit, racy acidity, low-alcohol lift
Soalheiro's deliberately low-alcohol Alvarinho at 9 percent ABV. Early-harvest fruit kept the alcohol down and the acidity racy; built for summer drinking.
What it pairs with
-
Summer salads
Low-alcohol Alvarinho with racy acidity and herbal register suits leaf-and-citrus salads on hot days. -
Vegetable summer rolls
Low ABV and herbal aromatics partner Vietnamese rice paper and herbs. -
Grilled sea bream
Atlantic white fish meets the wine's lime and saline lift. -
Aperitif on ice
Soalheiro 9's low alcohol makes it a serious daytime aperitif.
History
Soalheiro 9 is the estate's deliberately low-alcohol Alvarinho, picked early to keep the alcohol at 9 percent ABV while preserving the variety's racy acidity. A response to the wider lower-alcohol wine movement and to Vinho Verde's natural strength in the category.
- 2015 — Soalheiro 9 launched as the estate's low-alcohol Alvarinho
Facts
- Producer
- Soalheiro
- Grapes
- Alvarinho (100%)
- Classification
- DOC Vinho Verde - Monção e Melgaço
- Oak
- Stainless steel; early harvest; brief lees
- ABV
- 9.0%
- Price
- EUR 12 to 16 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-3 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2015
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Soalheiro 9
What does Soalheiro 9 taste like?
Green apple, lime, white flowers and fresh herb on the nose; citrus, soft fruit, racy acidity and a low-alcohol lift on the palate. Light-bodied with high acidity and a medium clean finish.
Why is Soalheiro 9 only 9 percent alcohol?
Fruit is picked early at lower ripeness to keep the alcohol at 9 percent ABV. The natural high acidity of Alvarinho means the wine still tastes structured and dry without needing additional ripeness.
When should I drink it?
Drink within 0 to 3 years of vintage. Built for youthful freshness; serve well chilled at 6 to 8 degrees Celsius.
What food pairs with Soalheiro 9?
Summer salads, vegetable summer rolls, grilled sea bream and daytime aperitif. The low alcohol makes it the textbook hot-weather Alvarinho.