The Palace of Brejoeira

The "Palácio da Brejoeira" is located in the parish of Pinheiros, 6 kilometres from Monção, north of Portugal.   It is a good example of the aristocratic houses in Portugal, surrounded by green woods and enchanting gardens with magnolias and camellias.  Built in 1834, originally, it was the centre of a vast estate.  Today the large area is used to cultivate grapes for the Alvarinho wine. It is one of the most prestigious of the Portuguese green wines of the region. It also produces an "aguardente bagaceira" (brandy).  Permission by previous arrangement is needed to visit this magnificent manor house. 

So, the Alvarinho (a.k.a. Albariño in the area of Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain) is a white wine grape variety, used to create a serious varietal wine with pleasant citrus fruit aroma, widely grown in regions of N.W. Spain and also in northern Portugal. Thought by some to be a Riesling clone originating from the Alsace region of France.

Typically, Alvarinho are very aromatic, often described as having scents of almonds or almond paste, apples, peaches, citrus, and flowers or grass. Alvarinho wines are particularly suited to seafood due to their bracing acidity. This grape's inherent tartness should be embraced in youth, for wines made from Alvarinho do not age well, and the vibrant aromas begin to noticeably fade within months of bottling.

“Palácio da Brejoeira” is highly prized (sorry, also expensive and rare) as the best green Portuguese wine.  Really a “Premium Portugal Must”.