Clarete is a traditional Dão style that blends red and white grapes in a single co-fermentation. Vizinho Vinhateiro’s version is made from at least 15 native grape varieties—including Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz, Baga, Arinto, Fernão Pires, and Sercial, sourced from old vineyards aged between 50 and 90 years. About 20% of the grapes are white.
Harvested in one day, the grapes are foot-trodden in a 300-year-old granite lagar, following local tradition, followed by a 24-hour maceration. After, the must is pressed in a vertical press and transferred to oak barrels, a mix of used barrels and 10% new—for native yeast fermentation. The wine then rests on its lees for a year, unfiltered and with only a minimal addition of sulfur before bottling. This minimal-intervention approach highlights the energy and nuance of the old vines and mixed plantings.
The result is a pale garnet wine with a slight haze and a juicy appearance. Aromas of wild red berries, dried herbs, and flowers lead to a bright, fresh palate with soft tannins and a lifted, savory finish. It’s a vibrant, soulful expression of Dão, easy to enjoy with a lot of depth.