Mainova, Verdelho White, 2024

Verdelho off the schist and granite of Portugal's Alto Alentejo, made with a deliberately light hand. Mainova, based at Herdade da Fonte Santa, presses whole clusters straight, cold-settles the juice without additives and keeps sulfur to a minimum, letting the grape and the place do the talking. Verdelho here is no fading Madeira component but a crisp, dry table white with citrus drive and a little tropical edge. It is an honest, well-priced introduction to a grape and a region most drinkers have never explored. Serve it well chilled as a warm-weather pour.