Quinta do Pinto, “Lasso” Branco

If five gets you ten, $20 gets you one of the most thrilling “what-am-I-drinking” experiences of the summer. Nailing today’s wine in a blind tasting would take more skill than I’ll admit to having—and I say that knowing full well that it’s a pitch-perfect expression of place, one that I’ve enjoyed many, many times. Where are we exactly—and what lies within this mystery white? We’re deep in Portugal, specifically Alenquer, a hole-in-the-wall appellation north of Lisbon. This obscure region is home to indigenous, high-energy grapes like Arinto and Fernão Pires, and Quinta do Pinto expertly fuses them together in today’s “Lasso” Branco.”If you’ve been hanging around SommSelect for some time, my affinity for Portuguese whites won’t be groundbreaking news. It’s not that I have a soft spot for the lip-smacking pleasure, salty/citrusy stimulation, and legendary value they bring—I have a certifiable weakness. Portugal is where my wine career began, and though my time there was short, it still