Just in time for the festive season we are thrilled to re-introduce the stunning Portuguese wines of Alentejo's Ciclo Vinho.
Hugo and Joana Campos of Ciclo Vinho have just 1.5 hectares of vines in the Estremoz region of Alentejo comprising no less than 10 different indigenous Portuguese grape varieties. With these they work with minimal intervention and by hand to craft fragrant, pure and vivacious natural wines in tiny quantities - just 600-2,000 bottles of each cuvée is made.
After first encountering these wines In Lisbon back in 2022, it was a couple of years before we finally got the nod that Hugo and Joana had enough wine available to send to the UK for the first time - such is the domestic demand in Portugal and minuscule supply.
This year marks the third vintage we have had the pleasure of importing these unique wines into the UK, and with each the quality and complexity has increased, such that these are now some of the most eagerly anticipated arrivals of the year for both staff and customers alike.
In total we have eight cuvées from Ciclo available, including two brand new wines in litre format, Fernão Pirado and Ciclone.
Ciclo Vinho Pét Nat Branco (£27): The Ciclo pét nat is 100% Arinto, hand-picked and vinified in the ancestral method without added yeast, sugar or sulphur. A taut and vigorous pét nat with persistent bubbles carrying aromas of lemons, limes, green apples and honey.
Ciclo Vinho Fernão Pirado (£31): A new cuvée in one-litre format from Hugo and Joana fermented in traditional Portuguese stone lagar with one week skin contact for the Moscatel. A textured and perfumed wine with bright acidity and peach, apricot and jasmine aromas.
Ciclo Vinho Ciclone (£33): Another new litre bottle cuvée from Hugo and Joana made from the local Vinhão variety. Aged for 9 months in French oak barrels, this is a structured and savoury wine with concentrated black berry and cherry flavours, mushroom and wood spice.
Ciclo Vinho Curtimenta (£26): The Ciclo Vinho Curtimenta (orange/skin contact) is 100% Moscatel crushed in whole-bunches and fermented with native yeasts on skins for a week in a traditional Portuguese lagar. A golden orange in colour with perfumed aromas of white flowers, honey and spice. Medium bodied on the palate with crisp acidity, light tannins and a creamy texture.
Ciclo Vinho Rosado (£26): The Ciclo Rosado is a blend of Fernão Pires and Touriga Nacional growing in limestone soils at 350m above sea level. Deep pink in colour and light bodied with enchanting aromas of wild berries, fresh picked herbs and a savoury quality on the dry finish.
Ciclo Vinho Branco (£25): This is the Ciclo Vinho Branco made from a field blend of 6 varieties growing in limestone. Fresh and high-toned with citric acidity, exotic fruit notes and a creamy, long palate.
Ciclo Vinho Tinto (£25): The Ciclo Tinto is made from 100% Aragonés (Tempranillo), hand-picked and fermented in a traditional Portuguese open lagar. A lovely ruby red in colour with very light body and crunchy, spicy berry and cherry fruit on the linear, direct palate.
Ciclo Vinho Mono Ciclo (£26): Mono Ciclo is 100% Trincadeira, a grape that thrives in the warm Alentejo growing conditions. Gorgeous raspberry and blackcurrant leaf aromas with a herbaceous undertone and plenty of savoury character on the finish.