Antão Vaz (Alentejo’s powerhouse white)
Antão Vaz is the most important white grape variety in the Alentejo, Portugal’s vast southern region, where it produces bold, ripe, and full-bodied whites that reflect the area’s hot, Mediterranean climate and generous terroir. It is the go-to grape for many of the region’s most popular and structured dry whites.
Originating in the Alentejo (with possible roots in the Algarve), Antão Vaz thrives on the region’s warm days, long growing season, and varied soils—ranging from schist and granite in the north to clay-limestone in the south. It is vigorous, high-yielding, and late-ripening, producing large bunches with thick-skinned, golden-yellow berries that accumulate high sugar levels while maintaining good acidity.
In the glass, Antão Vaz wines are medium to deep straw or golden in color. The nose is rich and expressive: ripe tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, passion fruit), stone fruits (peach, apricot, nectarine), citrus (orange, lemon), and often a touch of honey, vanilla, and spice from oak aging (very common in Alentejo whites). Subtler herbal or floral notes add balance.
On the palate, these wines are full-bodied and opulent, with round, creamy texture, moderate to high alcohol (13–14.5%), and surprisingly good acidity for the warm climate. Flavors are generous—ripe fruit, tropical notes, and often a mineral or saline edge—finishing long and warm. Many producers use lees contact and barrel fermentation to enhance texture and complexity, while some reserve wines show remarkable aging potential (5–10+ years).
Compared to the crisp Atlantic whites of the north, Antão Vaz delivers power, richness, and warmth—perfectly suited to the sun-drenched Alentejo. It is often blended with other whites (Arinto, Roupeiro, Verdelho) but excels as a varietal, especially from cooler sub-regions like Vidigueira or Évora.
Versatile and crowd-pleasing, Antão Vaz pairs well with grilled fish, seafood, roasted chicken, pork, creamy pastas, and bold cheeses. It captures the generous, sun-kissed character of southern Portugal—bold, fruit-forward, and ideal for relaxed, flavorful meals.