Anselmo Mendes
Meet one of the Vinho Verde region's - & Portugal's - most important producers, Anselmo Mendes. Anselmo is affectionately called "Senhor [Mr.] Alvarinho", owing to his devotion to understanding this noble white variety. He calls himself a ‘student’ of this indigenous casta and is the 3rd generation of Alvarinho producers in the family. Since the 1980's, Anselmo has coupled this wine heritage with knowledge gained from having completed his Masters of Oenology in Bordeaux, where he explored in depth the use of skin contact and barrel with white varieties. Alongside Alvarinho, Anselmo uses other indigenous varieties in his wines, including Loureiro and Avesso in white wines, and Alvarelhão, Pedral & Cainho for the reds.
His expertise is held so highly that he even consults to many of the leading Quintas of the Minho and beyond, alongside the production of more than 20 of his own wines- white, red, rose & sparkling. As with all of DTF Wines' producers, Anslemo is a massive proponent of letting the vineyard tell the story, but his guiding hand lifts the fruit to a stunning level. In terms of range and price, these are the best value Vinho Verde wines in Portugal.
Os Vinhos…
The Wines.
2025 Muros Antigos Escolha- DOC Vinho Verde
Alvarinho, Loureiro & Avesso
Muros Antigos Escolha is a regional wine, showcasing the diversity of northern Portugal through three local varieties, each grown in the Vinho Verde sub-region where it thrives.
Alvarinho is sourced from Monção e Melgaço, where warm days and cool nights allow the grape to reach perfect ripeness, producing wines with ripe stone fruit characters, structure and body. Loureiro comes from the Lima Valley, where deep granitic soils and strong Atlantic influence preserve the variety's hallmark floral aromatics, citrus freshness and salinity. Avesso is grown in Baião, on the border between the continental Douro Valley and the maritime Douro Litoral. Here, dry granitic sandy-loam soils produce wines with vibrant acidity, pronounced minerality and impressive balance.
Hand-harvested into small crates and transported immediately to the winery, the grapes are destemmed before gentle pressing. The must undergoes 48–72 hours of cold clarification before a long, cool fermentation. The wine is then matured on its fine lees for a minimum of three months with regular bâtonnage, building texture, complexity and length while retaining freshness.
Bright aromas of citrus, green apple and sweet tangerine are complemented by delicate floral notes and wet stone minerality. Fresh, crystalline and precise on the palate, lively acidity provides both structure and drive, while the lees ageing contributes subtle texture and volume. The finish is long, persistent and distinctly mineral.
A benchmark introduction to Vinho Verde and the best value expression in existence, Muros Antigos Escolha will appeal to lovers of mineral-driven white wines such as Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chablis, Chenin Blanc and Muscadet.
Serve chilled with oysters, raw and fried fish, croquetas, young goat's cheese salads, and simply prepared poultry or white fish.
2024 Pardusco - DOC Vinho Verde
Alvarelhão, Pedral & Verdelho-Tinto
Long before Vinho Verde became synonymous with crisp white wines, the region was equally renowned for its elegant, pale reds. Pardusco was the historic name given to these lightly coloured, juicy, light to medium bodied wines. They travelled well throughout Portugal and, before the Vinho Verde denomination existed, became known as the "Mature Wines of Monção".
Produced from the indigenous varieties Alvarelhão, Pedral and Verdelho-Tinto, Anselmo Mendes revives this forgotten regional style for the modern table. Hand-harvested at optimum ripeness, the grapes are destemmed before cold skin maceration and a long, cool fermentation. Complete malolactic fermentation builds harmony and texture while preserving the wine's vibrant freshness.
Pale ruby in colour, Pardusco displays aromas and flavours of ripe red berries with savouriness & subtle spice. It’s refreshing, vibrant, fruit-forward with lively acidity.
A fascinating introduction to one of Portugal's forgotten historic styles, Pardusco suits drinkers of light reds who enjoy examples from the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura, Alto Adige and Sicily.
Perfect as an aperitif or lunchtime wine, serve at cellar temperature or with a gentle chill with charcuterie, aged cheeses, chicken & sundried tomato salad, duck breast and prawns.