Wine of the Week: Escapada Vinho Verde

This week’s Wine of the Week takes us to north-west Portugal with Escapada Vinho Verde. It’s a light, lively white with lemon sherbet, crisp apple and a little floral lift. An easy bottle to reach for when you fancy something fresh alongside a few salty snacks.

Escapada brings together four of the region’s traditional grapes: Loureiro, Arinto, Avesso and Trajadura. Together, they give us a wine with bright fruit, a delicate perfume and the refreshing acidity that makes each mouthful feel crisp.

The landscape plays its part. Vinho Verde is a green, Atlantic-influenced corner of Portugal, with river valleys carrying sea breezes inland. Rainfall and mild temperatures help shape the region’s wines. That cooler maritime influence helps grapes hold on to their acidity as they ripen, providing the freshness that suits this style so well.

Casa Santos Lima, the producer behind Escapada, lists a harvest window from late August to mid-October. With grape varieties ripening at different speeds, picking is a series of decisions across the season. The balance between fruit ripeness and acidity matters here: you want enough ripeness for flavour, with plenty of that lively character left in the grapes.

One of the details we liked learning about is the use of free-run juice. This is the juice released before firm pressing, as the grapes are crushed and drain. Keeping it separate from the harder pressings can limit the extraction of compounds from skins and seeds that bring bitterness or a drying sensation. It’s an approach that fits Escapada’s delicate, easygoing character.

Fermentation is kept cool, at around 12 to 14°C. Cool fermentation can help retain delicate aromas, supporting the fresh, fruity style. Between the grapes, the climate and those choices in the winery, there’s plenty going on behind such an approachable bottle.

For food, we’d keep things simple. A bowl of olives or a packet of salted crisps is a very good start. If you’re opening a bottle over dinner, try prawns or grilled fish. The citrus character and fresh acidity make it a lovely partner for both.

We’ll have Escapada open for Wine of the Week, so pop in and ask us for a taste. Have a glass with us, or pick up a bottle for home. If fresh, lemony whites are your thing, this is one to get to know.