Arinto dos Açores, Ilha do Pico - 2023

Winemakers often brag that their wine possesses unique “terroir.” But for the winemaking cooperative Ilho do Pico, who grow grapes on the volcanic island of Pico in the Azores ~1400 km west of Portugal, terroir-driven winemaking means something very different. The cooperative sources fruit from vines that grow on small volcanic rocks that are protected by stone walls. The extreme climate forces the vines to struggle, which in turn produces pure expressions of the island’s many varieties.Their single-variety Arinto dos Acores (not to be confused with Arinto!), which is barrel fermented and aged on lees for six months before release, typifies the island’s style: aromas of guava, dried pineapple, and wet stone give way to a palate that’s electric, with notes of with notes of lime, cut grass, and wisps of smoke. Uniquely delicious.