Casa do Arrabalde 2015 combines the regional grape varieties Avesso, Alvarinho and Arinto, produced at the Quinta using sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention techniques. It is a wine of terroir with plenty of freshness and minerality.
The 2014 winter and the first quarter of 2015 had rainfall capable of replenishing the water table soil. The second and third quarters had little precipitation. The temperatures were higher than the annual average for the region. Budburst appeared as usual followed by flowering. Moisture levels did not favour the development of diseases. Summer followed the trend of no rain, but maximum temperatures were below average. The dry and luminous weather of the second quarter, with acceptable levels of moisture in the soil, put ahead the maturation of the varietals for about 3 weeks.
Between the 13th and 16th of September strong rainfall ensued but didn’t hurt the quality of the grapes picked subsequently. The dry and not excessively hot weather that followed allowed for the development of aromatic compounds well evident in the winemaking with grapes harvested after these dates. The harvest took place on the 28th of September, anticipated due to an accentuated maturation with bunches of exceptional concentration of colour and flavour. 2015 will probably be a memorable year in the region.