Text João Pedro de Carvalho | Translation Jani Dunne

This farm holds more than four centuries of history, going back to the 1600s. Many fables and stories tell of its birth, many of which told by its own surroundings – from the old palace to the caves, including the lake, gardens and vineyards. It amounts up to about 40 acres in total. The walls around the farm refreshed its soul in 1976, when it was acquired by the current owners. To the day, it remains a 100% family business, and is already in the second generation, ensuring the project’s continuity.

The vineyards are already following fair trade guidelines, and spread out over 66 acres across four pieces of land in Forjães, Ponte de Lima and Barcelos. The Atlantic and the granite-rich grounds brand the wine’s profile. We were able to confirm this when tasting three samples of the Afectus range. This range of wines has been inspired by the affection and passion for the land, and its labels’ image represents the century-old camellias in Quinta de Curvos.

Afectus Loureiro 2014 (Vinho Verde) caused the least impact out of the three wines. It was refreshing and stood out for the fruit (red apple and red peach), and although not too exuberant, it combines aromas of linden flower, bay leaf and flint in the background. With a well-balanced acidity in the tasting, the fruit displayed good presence in an average finish.

Although the other two wines are Vinho Verde, Afectus Alvarinho 2014 reminds you of a Regional Minho. More austere than the former, its aromas are more outlined and have stronger presence, and the freshness imposes its notes of lychee, peach, lemon and lemon balm. Somewhat closed, it implies that more bottled time would only benefit. In the mouth, the fruit has good presence, the lychee highlighted on a par with a very ripe and juicy peach; the background is refreshing and flavourful with a very faint mineral austerity.

This Rosé was a joyful and refreshing surprise that poured into my glass; to it belong the region’s characteristic varieties: Vinhão and Espadeiro. The wine pulls you in with its freshness; with the way the plump and juicy fruit (strawberry and cherry) pours flavour while the background proves dry and mineral. All of the above appears wrapped in a thin layer of smoke, in a wine that has all it takes to shine in the nearing heat peak. By the way, try it with grilled meat: the result is amazing!