Quinta de Santiago Cisma Loureiro Branco 2023

Cisma Loureiro Branco 2023 is a premium author's white made in the prestigious Monção e Melgaço sub-region, part of the Vinhos Verdes Demarcated Region. It's the result of an exclusive collaboration between the well-known Quinta de Santiago and Pormenor Vinhos, signed by winemaker Nuno Mira do Ó.

The Wine Advocate
RP 91

Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

The 2023 Cisma is, of course, a Loureiro, which is almost heresy for a winery in the Alvarinho zone of Monção e Melgaço. It's a collaboration with Pormenor, a friend who wanted to show a different interpretation of the grape he loves so much. Despite a moderate 11.5% alcohol, it has aromas of ripe yellow fruit and a golden colour suggesting riper grapes. It had 48 hours of whole-bunch maceration, and fermented and aged 50% in stainless steel and 50% in French oak, on full lees with bâtonnage for 11 months. It certainly doesn't show the typical varietal fingerprint, but it offers volume and freshness. 1,200 bottles were filled in August 2024.

Quinta de Santiago is a family estate in Monção, in the heart of the Vinhos Verdes Alvarinho sub-region. José and Joana Santiago started the project in 2010, with help from consultant Nuno Mira do Ó. They have 10 hectares of 25-year-old vines next to the winery, on a family property dating from 1899, planted with Alvarinho, Loureiro and Alvarelhão. Given the hot, dry climate of recent harvests, they're moving towards regenerative viticulture. Production is 66,000 bottles, or 50,000 litres.

Published: 2 April 2026