Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: Pico

Articles

The vineyards of Pico

Published 27. February 2025 by Vidar Kenneth Johansen

I am concluding a three-day visit to the breathtaking island of Pico, where vines grow between black volcanic rock walls, protected from the fierce Atlantic winds. This UNESCO-listed landscape tells a story of resilience, tradition, and wines with striking minerality and a taste of the sea.

Every stone wall, every vine, and every bottle speaks of centuries of adaptation and determination. Pico’s wines are not just a product of nature but of human perseverance.

I can explain the technical terms like currais and cañadas—and I will, later. But when it comes to the impression these vineyards leave on me, words fall short. The scarce soil they have was transported from neighboring islands some 500 years ago.

A heartfelt thank you to the producers who welcomed me, sharing their wines, stories, and challenges. A special thanks to João Roseira of Simplesmente Vinho for sending me on this journey, and to Fortunato García from Czar for organising an unforgettable visit. I’ll be back.

Leave a Comment

Wine of the Week

The original Pico Verdelho

Published 16. March 2018 by Vidar Kenneth Johansen

António Maçanita is perhaps most known from his Fita Preta project in Alentejo, and maybe some have heard about the partnership with his sister Joana in the Douro.

But now, a few words about his work in the Açores: Preservation of the indigenous grape varieties is a key concept. And showing the grapes’, and the terroir’s potential, especially for white wines, is maybe his most important task there.

(photo credit: AWC)

I had just become aware of this project through the Verdelho wine before I left for Portugal. But at the Simplesmente Vinho fair in Porto I had the possibility to meet him. In fact his wine showed up already at the opening dinner.

Here it is. Varietal 100% verdelho. Verdelho, “the original”, this to distinguish it from grapes that have been wrongly confused with it (such as gouveio, godello, verdejo and more).

It was harvested manually. Whole bunch pressing was carried out, natural racking
after 24 hours, and fermentation in 600 to 1000 litre steel tanks. Designation: the Pico sub-region (on the west of the island) within the Açores IG area.

Last words: About the possible confusion between Azores – Açores (on the label you can read both), the former is English, the latter Portuguese.

Verdelho o Original 2016 (Azores Wine Company)

Light yellow, hints of green. Aroma with citrus, yellow apples, herbs, slightly nutty. Clean, fresh, quite full, salty mineral, and long.

Price: Medium

Food: Grilled fish, seafood, salads, perfect with oysters



Leave a Comment