Cazas Novas Pure Avesso Vinho Verde – The Mineral Essence of Baião

The Cazas Novas Pure Avesso is an uncompromising tribute to the indigenous Avesso grape variety and the unique terroir of the Baião sub-region. While the winery's "Colheita" line already impresses with its structure, the "Pure" – as the name suggests – focuses on the unadulterated, crystalline minerality and vibrant freshness of Northern Portugal. With an alcohol content of 12.5% vol., this white wine displays impressive precision, clearly distinguishing it from the off-dry mass-produced wines of the region. Those looking to buy a mineral Vinho Verde that combines the depth of granite soils with the brilliance of white fruits will find a modern benchmark for Portuguese white wine in this bottle.

The Philosophy: Purism and Terroir Precision

The Cazas Novas project aims to elevate the potential of the Avesso grape in Baião to a world-class level. The "Pure" line stands for a minimal-intervention approach in the cellar to avoid masking the soil's fingerprint. In accordance with EU Regulation 1169/2011 (LMIV) and new labeling requirements, this wine offers full transparency. It is a wine for purists and explorers who appreciate the cool elegance and vertical structure of a great granite wine.

Sensory Analysis

The analysis of Cazas Novas Pure Avesso reveals a profile characterized by its straightforwardness, saline energy, and aromatic purity.

• Color: In the glass, the wine presents a very light, almost translucent straw yellow with brilliant silver reflections.

• Aroma (Nose): The nose is characterized by a cool, almost "stony" aroma, underscored by delicate fruit accents:

  • Fruit: Nuances of green apple, unripe pear, and zesty lime peel.

  • Minerality: Dominant notes of wet pebble and a smoky flint component.

  • Herbs: A hint of lemon balm and white pepper.

• Structure & Mouthfeel: On the palate, the wine acts with enormous tension. It is leaner and more focused than the Colheita variant, yet by no means thin, but energetic and wiry.

• Acidity & Balance: The acidity is the backbone of this wine – razor-sharp, yet ripe and perfectly integrated into the mineral texture. The 12.5% vol. alcohol serves only as a subtle carrier for the enormous freshness.

• Finish: The aftertaste is extremely clean, almost "electrifyingly" salty, leaving a refreshed feeling on the palate.

Origin & Terroir

The grapes for "Pure" grow in the most extreme vineyards of the estate in Baião, directly at the interface with the Douro region.

Soil Structure and Microclimate

The fundamental component is the pure granite. This barren, crystalline soil is responsible for the salty minerality and the "vertical" structure of the wine. Baião also offers a higher altitude than the western Vinho Verde, which leads to slower ripening and a more intense concentration of aromas while preserving the high natural acidity.

Winemaking Philosophy

The winery practices sustainable viticulture. For the "Pure" line, an even stricter selection of grapes is made to ensure that only the most precise harvested material goes into the pressing process. Manual work in the vineyard is a prerequisite for the desired quality.

Vinification & Maturation

The vinification of Pure Avesso is designed to reflect the varietal typicity "without makeup".

• Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation takes place at very low temperatures (approx. 12–14 °C) in stainless steel tanks to protect the fragile, cool primary aromas of the Avesso grape.

• Maturation: The wine remains on its fine lees for some time, although excessive bâtonnage (stirring of the lees) is avoided so as not to interrupt the wine's sleek, mineral line with too much richness.

Food Pairing & Serving

Cazas Novas Pure Avesso is an excellent partner for dishes that require a clear, acid-driven accompaniment.

• Specific Dishes: An ideal partner for fresh oysters, ceviche, sashimi, or sea bass in a salt crust. Also a delight with goat cheese or asparagus dishes with vinaigrette.

• Vegetarian Alternative: Fresh summer salads with citrus dressing or grilled artichokes.

• Serving Temperature: Ideally served very chilled at 7–9 °C.

• Glassware: We recommend a slender white wine glass (Riesling type) to focus the acidity and mineral precision.

Technical Details & Mandatory Information

The following overview summarizes all relevant data according to current labeling requirements.

Product Specifications

Average Nutritional Values (per 100 ml)

According to EU Regulation 2021/2117:

Producer & Distributor

Producer:

Cazas Novas

Quinta de Cazas Novas

4640-413 Baião

Portugal