Drink Me Nat Cool Branco 2022

Nat Cool is naturally “cool and funky”. It represents an innovative concept initiated by Niepoort, in which various producers came together to create light, easy-to-drink wines. In the Vinho Verde region, we produced a wine typical of the region – a wine which references the “cloudy” wines of the past which were bottled with some residual sugar and fine lees, and therefore re-fermented in the bottle. Welcome to the Nat Cool world!

Grape Varieties: Azal, Arinto, Avesso, Trajadura and Loureiro. Average Vine Age 25 to 30 Years.

Soil: Granite

Tasting Notes: This white wine was produced using a minimal intervention winemaking approach and is naturally turbid as it fermented in the bottle. It is intentionally not clarified, and the colour presents lemon yellow hues with subtle hints of green. Its aromas are reminiscent of the wines that used to be produced in the Vinho Verde region long ago, with yeasty notes, hints of citrus, peach, and herbaceous. The palate boasts outstanding acidity, a delicate mousse which renders it vibrant and some saline flavours on the finish. This is an intentionally uncomplicated wine: lightly shake the bottle before opening and enjoy with traditional Portuguese snacks!

Vinification: The grapes mainly stem from the sub-regions of Amarante and Lousada. The wine was made according to the old-fashioned method: a few grams of sugar were retained in the wine so that it would ferment again in bottle. Malolactic fermentation also took place in bottle.

Ageing: 3 months in stainless steel.

Food Suggestions: This wine will make an ideal apéritif as well as a fantastic partner for light dishes and appetisers such as pataniscas or pastéis de bacalhau (types of codfish fritters), cured sausages, etc. Suitable for Vegans & Vegetarians.

Winemaker: Dirk Niepoort