Oxalá - Granítico Branco 2023

White wine

Angular, Mineral, Graceful.

The expansive plains of the Alentejo are hot and dry, reaching from one horizon to the other.

This geography lends itself well in the production of bold, robust wines. For that reason, it is somewhat rare to come across a producer whose selection’s main descriptor could be elegant.

Believe it or not, but this often the thing that comes to mind when I taste the range from Oxalá.

Started in 2016 and led by Hugo Campos, Oxalá makes wine from special vineyards across three different spots in the northern part of the Alentejo, between Estremoz and Portalegre. Each one of these parcels has a slightly different soil, ranging from schist to calcareous to granite, and a different altitude giving further diversity in the conditions.

The wines that are made from these parcels are made with delicate care with a focus to retaining freshness and acidity and thus preserving those more subtle nuances of the fruit. 

And the result… Elegance!

This wine in particular is something unique among the wines of Alentejo as it really hones in on that light, fresh and mineral profile, reminiscent of something grown along the coast. It is made up of a blend of Arinto, Alvarinho and Viognier grapes, two locals and Frenchie, the grapes coming from a vineyard that sits just beyond Portalegre, on the eastern side of the Serra da São Mamede, a little mountain range that runs along the Spanish border. Up here the vines enjoy cooler climes at an altitude of around 450-650m above sea level and sit in granitic soils.

As previously mentioned the treatment of these grapes was very delicate in order to produce a wine that truly honours the unique terroir.

It’s a delight and really something special on a hot day!