Being in Pico Island lately I was lodged at the Azores Wine Company’s winery. Hipster heaven! Modern showcase winery, tasting room, great views of vineyards, volcanic mountains and lots of staff sporting a multitude of tattoos. Rather an opposite of, pardon me, an authentic Pico Island Winery. At Azores Wine Company eating in the restaurant, you’ll be eating nouvelle cuisine which you can consume in New York. London, Paris or Toronto. Generic upscale McDonalds? Super high quality indeed but poor misguided me prefers the “authentic Pico Island cuisine” I had at Adega Czar or at Adega Amaral. Did I travel hours to eat what I can eat in many capitals of the world? No.
Sorry for the digression.
We move to an Arinto Sur Lies from the Azores Wine Company at 36 Euros a bottle!
The Arinto dos Açores is apparently a unique varietal native to the Azores Islands and is not related to the Portuguese mainland Arinto. The Arinto has been planted in the cracks of volcanic lava at the foothills of a volcanic mountain. 3,333 bottles were produced.
Aroma: That slight funky initial Arinto dos Açores possesses. Pineapple mango and guava. Almost creamy.
Palate: Brittle creaminess with pineapple, guava and rambutan notes. Minerality but no salinity. Slightly peppery.
Personality: Swaggering and confident.
Callability: Will improve but consume by end of 2026.
Price: 35.80 Euros in Portugal.
Food Match: Thai green curry. A real foodie wine. Will pair well with a “seafood steak”!
RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100.
(Arinto dos Açores Sur Lies 2017 António Maçanita, D.O. Pico Açores, Azores Wine Company, Pico Island, Portugal, 750 mL)
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