Lucas Amaral may be the youngest winemaker in Portugal at least according to his proud mother Sandra. He started at 19 and now at 21 he is building up his profile. On my recent trip to Portugal a group of us had the opportunity to meet Lucas, have lunch and enjoy his wine. Lucas is also a very young father of a 6-month-old. He is a man who wastes no time in getting down to business!
The cost of Pico Island wines may seem more than wines from mainland Portugal. Sandra explains to us that management of the vineyard is labour intensive due to its rocky ground. No mechanization in the fields is possible. Winemaking equipment and related supplies must be shipped in from the Portuguese mainland.
The Amaral family was once the biggest producer of grapes on Pico Island but COVID had the effect of shutting down one of its biggest buyers so Lucas started using the family grapes to make wine. His style captures the essence of Pico Island. Easy drinking and straight forward with just the right amount of acidity suitable for the multitude of PICO Island fish dishes.
And the food served started with plenty of flat cornbread, corn bread and sweet bread typical on a Pico Island plate.
Pico Island cheese to start then sausages including a blood sausage. Limpets freshy scraped off the rocks in the morning followed. Crabs in a spicy garlic sauce next.
Next was “Holy Ghost Soup” with chunks of beef and bread soaked in broth. Holy Ghost Soup is often served at town lunches especially for those with health issues who it is thought are blessed by the soup.
Again for dessert Pico Island sweet rice.
Adega Amaral welcomes those wishing to eat incredible Pico Island food and easy drinking white wines! Here is a link to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/adegalucasamaral/ .
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 