March 2025 Blanco y Branco Club

Suertes del Marques 2022 Trenzado Listan Blanco Regular Price: $31.99 Club Price: $27.19 Buy Now

Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is home to some of the most distinctive wines in the world, shaped by its rugged volcanic terrain and centuries-old viticultural traditions. Among the island’s standout producers, Suertes del Marqués has earned a reputation for crafting expressive wines that capture the singularity of this unique landscape. Their 2022 Trenzado is a prime example—a textured, mineral-driven white wine made from Listán Blanco, a grape that thrives in Tenerife’s extreme conditions. Named after the traditional vine training system, trenzado (meaning “braided”), this wine is as much a product of its terroir as it is of the craftsmanship behind it.

The volcanic soils of Tenerife play a crucial role in shaping the character of wines like Trenzado. The vines are planted on the steep slopes of the Orotava Valley, some reaching elevations of over 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet). Here, the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean tempers the island’s warm climate, preserving acidity and freshness in the grapes. The trenzado system—where vines are trained into long, interwoven braids—helps mitigate strong coastal winds and maximizes exposure to sunlight, aiding in even ripening. These conditions create wines with incredible tension, minerality, and a saline quality that reflects their island origins.

Image courtesy Suertes del Marques

Listán Blanco, also known as Palomino in mainland Spain, has deep historical roots in the Canary Islands. While it is best known as the primary grape of Sherry production in Jerez, the variety takes on a completely different personality in Tenerife’s volcanic soils. Unlike its typically neutral expression in fortified wines, Listán Blanco from Tenerife develops a remarkable complexity, offering layers of citrus, orchard fruit, and smoky, flinty minerality. In Trenzado, Suertes del Marqués employs a mix of aging techniques, including old foudres and concrete tanks, to enhance texture without overwhelming the wine’s purity.

The 2022 Trenzado showcases the best of this unique terroir, offering aromas of ripe pear, lemon zest, and subtle white flowers, interwoven with hints of crushed stone and sea spray. On the palate, it is vibrant yet richly textured, with a backbone of acidity that carries through to a long, saline finish. This is a wine that rewards both contemplation and food pairing—its depth makes it a natural match for seafood, grilled octopus, or Canarian specialties like salted cod with mojo sauce.

Suertes del Marqués 2022 Trenzado is a rewarding experience. It highlights not just the potential of Listán Blanco but also the magic of Tenerife’s viticulture— old vines, volcanic soils, and skilled hands coming together to produce something truly special. Whether you are a lover of mineral-driven whites, a fiend for Palomino Fino based wines, or just an explorer of lesser-known wine regions, this bottle offers a journey to one of the most fascinating corners of the wine world.

Camaleão 2022 Loureiro and Alvarinho Vinho Verde Regular Price: $21.99 Club Price: $ 18.69 Buy Now

J.Cabral Almeida is a wine company created by skilled wine maker João Cabral de Almeida. He focuses primarily on the Vinho Verde, Douro, and Dão regions in the north, Always looking the best terroirs to craft his unique wines that reveal the true character of each location and its grapes. 

João Cabral Almeida grew up surrounded by wine—five of his eight siblings work in the industry. It was a natural fit for him, and after studying Agronomy at ISA, (Instituto Superior de Agronomia) he knew oenology and viticulture were his future.

As a student, João worked harvests everywhere, from local vineyards to places like Argentina, learning from his brothers and top producers. He gained hands-on experience with big names like Esporão, Taylors, and Sogrape—many of the wines you’ll find in our shops.

Early on, João had the chance to work with some of the best mentors, like Anselmo Mendes, who gave him a global perspective on wine. But João wasn’t content just following others—he started experimenting with his own ideas from the beginning.

Today, João is making his own mark. He divides his time between projects he loves, like Vinho Verde and his own brand, Omnia, while also teaching viticulture back in the Dão, where he grew up—it’s his passion. He believes Portugal has so much untapped potential and is inspired by regions like Burgundy and Saint-Émilion.

Right now, he’s focused on Dão, particularly in Silgueiros and Serra da Estrela, working with old, mixed vineyards and rare grape varieties. It’s a real challenge, but he’s dedicated to capturing the true essence of each vineyard.

His wines have a distinct minerality and a fresh, citrusy finish, reflecting the unique terroir of the region. He uses gentle methods to preserve the full character of the grapes, resulting in elegant wines with aromas of nectarine, orange blossom, and bay leaf—refreshing and crisp, just like the one we share with you in this months club selection. One evening, I paired this Alvarinho and Loureiro blend with an oven-baked trout and roast vegetables; its slightly fuller body and strong acidic backbone complemented the richer flavor of the fish perfectly.