Muros Antigos Alvarinho 2025
Region: Vinho Verde
Producer: Anselmo Mendes
Why we chose this wine
We were there when Anselmo launched the first wines with its name on the market. He had already made a name for himself as a consultant in many estates, but in the early 2000s he focused on his home region.
Melgaço has always been recognised as one of the best places to produce Alvarinho, but very few quality estates were still active.
Anselmo played an important role in the rebirth of the region and is now recognised as one of Portugal's leading white wine producers.
The Alvarinho grape variety plays the main role here, but Anselmo also values other local varieties such as Loureiro, Avesso and Vinhão. Its wines are distinguished by their freshness and minerality. The granitic soils, the proximity of the ocean and its location in the north of Portugal play a decisive role.
The grapes are grown only in Monção and Melgaço, the vines grow on sunny slopes on poor granite soils, this gives very mineral wines with body and structure while retaining a lot of freshness.
Melgaço has always been recognised as one of the best places to produce Alvarinho, but very few quality estates were still active.
Anselmo played an important role in the rebirth of the region and is now recognised as one of Portugal's leading white wine producers.
The Alvarinho grape variety plays the main role here, but Anselmo also values other local varieties such as Loureiro, Avesso and Vinhão. Its wines are distinguished by their freshness and minerality. The granitic soils, the proximity of the ocean and its location in the north of Portugal play a decisive role.
The grapes are grown only in Monção and Melgaço, the vines grow on sunny slopes on poor granite soils, this gives very mineral wines with body and structure while retaining a lot of freshness.
| Volume | 75.0 cl. |
| Grape Variety | Alvarinho |
| Drinking window | 2026-2032 |
| Alc. | 12.5% |
| Vinification | Gentle pressing of the whole grapes, cold clarification for 48 hours, long fermentation around 14 to 20°c. |
| Ripening | raised for a minimum of six months on the lees. |
Waar serveer je ’m bij?
The Alvarinho that earned Anselmo Mendes his nickname — king Alvarinho — and by now the reference for fresh, mineral white wine in Portugal. All in steel, so nothing stands between the grape and the glass: peach, lime zest and a saline, mineral finish. What makes this bottle special is that it does not have to be drunk young: the good vintages actually become more interesting after a few years in bottle, with a waxy layer that carries the freshness.
Drie gerechten die werken
Mussels with ginger and spring onion
Grilled prawns with chilli and preserved lemon
Scallop carpaccio with lime
Grilled prawns with chilli and preserved lemon
Scallop carpaccio with lime
Vegetarisch
Deep-fried courgette in tempura with mint yoghurt
Minder geschikt bij
Cream and butter sauces, and roasted meat: it has not got the volume to balance those. With spicy food it does work, because its alcohol stays low.
Voor de Portugees geïnspireerde kok
Camarões à guilho — prawns in the pan with plenty of garlic, piri-piri and coriander
Serveren op 8–10 °C
What the critics say
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
90/ 100
Published 02-04-2026
Drink: 2026–2030
Drink: 2026–2030
“The 2025 Muros Antigos Alvarinho is my favorite from this range. It shows a little more weight than the others, with primary varietal character and a dry, serious and austere sensation on the palate. It comes in at 12.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.14 and 6.4 grams of acidity. 150,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025 after three months with the lees in stainless steel.”
— Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The producer
Anselmo Mendes
We were there when Anselmo launched his first wines under his own name and we are still following him. Meanwhile, he grew to become 'mister Alvarinho'.
More about Anselmo Mendes →