Anta de Cima 2019 Argilla Branco

The Wine

The wines of Portugal - what can I say? First and foremost, they offer really great value. But yes, they are damned near impossible to pronounce, and they use grapes few Americans have ever heard of. So a wine like this needs to be tasted and selected by our team, then the whole crew needs to be educated, because there's no way around it - this wine requires an enthusiastic staff member who wants to share their latest discovery. Fortunately, we have a good supply of such people!

To begin with - "Branco" in Portugal is like "Bianco" or "Blanco" or "Blanc". In other words, it indicates a white wine. And in keeping with the usual style of white wines from Portugal, the Argilla grape produces a wine that is both complex and refreshing to drink. Pair with anything that lived in a lake, ocean or river and you'll be happy!

The wines from the 'Argilla' line are fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, highlighting the pure expression of the grapes.

The Winery

Anta de Cima is a family-owned winery in a region of Portugal called Serra de Montargil, inset into the better-known Alto Alentejo region. Reviving a winemaking tradition that had been dormant since the 1950s, the Tenreiro family replanted vineyards in 2010, focusing on native Portuguese grape varieties and sustainable farming practices.

The estate employs an integrated agroforestry system, combining vineyards with cork oak forests, pine groves, and livestock grazing. This approach promotes biodiversity and ecological balance. The vineyards are situated on well-drained clay soils with southern exposures that are traditionally ideal for cultivating grapes.