2019 Achados e Perdidos Codega do Larinho Vinho Branco: Excellent Wine Value!

As I've often said, some of the best wine values in the world can be found in Portugal. The 2019 Achados e Perdidos Codega do Larinho Vinho Branco, at $12, is an excellent example of such a value wine.   

Achados e Perdidos, which translates as "lost & found," was established by two friends, João Silva e Sousa and Francisco Baptista, who previously worked for some large wine companies. They decided to create some of their own wines from indigenous grapes, especially in the Douro region. In addition, they wanted the wines to be affordable, to be value wines. 

This white wine is made from 100% Côdega do Larinho, a rare, indigenous grape, primarily found in the Douro and Tras-os-Montes regions. It's a pale-skinned grape which is aromatic and floral, with notes of citrus and tropical fruit. It often has low acidity, so tends to be blended with higher acidity grapes. In the past, the grapes were often used in field blends for white Port. This is the first time I've ever had a 100% Côdega do Larinho. 

The grapes for this wine come from a 100-year old vineyard, which is organically farmed, on black schists soils with some granitic sands. During production, there's minimal skin contact and fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, using native yeasts. The wine, with a 12% ABV, is then aged in the bottle for a year. 

Despite the grape commonly said to have low acidity, this wine proves exceptions exist. It actually possesses a crisp acidity, a nicely balanced wine, and is a sheer pleasure to drink. Notes of tart lemon, ripe peach and juicy pineapple with a backbone of minerality. A pleasing, lengthy finish. So much wine for such a low price. Where else can you find an organic wine with such a delicious taste at such a low price? 

This would be a nice seafood wine or simply enjoyed on its own.