Terrantez do Pico, Ilha do Pico - 2023

All the wines made on Pico are special (google Pico currais!), but this one is particularly precious. Don’t be misled by cognates, this grape is not related to floral Argentinian variety and the resulting wines could hardly be more different. This Terrantez found fame on the Portuguese Atlantic Islands but plantings dwindled due to disease and neglect until a recent resurgence. Formerly the fifth noble variety of Madeira, the rare remaining bottles are highly prized. On Pico, the most important island in the Azores for wine, it remains the least planted of their three major whites. Like any Azorean wine Terrantez has strong acidity and salinity, but with a more elegant restraint in balance with a focused, brilliant streak of mandarin with a touch of pineapple.