Textura is a small winery in Portugal’s Dão region — quite possibly our favorite Portuguese region for fresh, crisp, lightly aromatic whites and juicy, complex reds with a dash of salinity. The elegant, mineral-driven wines produced here have led some to call the region Portugal’s answer to Burgundy.

It's an apt comparison. You won’t find Chardonnay or Pinot Noir growing here, and the soils are granite and schist, not clay and limestone. But grapes have been grown here for millennia, and after Portugal’s entry into the EU in the late ‘70s, fine winemaking has flourished. Farming practices have improved, and talented winemakers have flocked to this mountainous area.

Marcelo Araujo moved his family from Brazil to the Dão and began making wine just a few years ago — his inaugural vintage was in 2018. He enlisted the help of superstar Luis Seabra, one of the country’s best, most meticulous winemakers, with a bent for terroir expression and the preservation of Portugal’s unique viticultural heritage. We found ourselves particularly impressed with the Pretexto duo, which has regional wines that can be compared to Bourgogne Blanc and Bourgogne Rouge.

The Branco is mostly Encruzado, known for its waxy texture and gently herbaceous flavors; it’s accented by a touch of Bical, which lends acidity and flavors of ripe peach, orange, and pineapple. It’s pretty, with stony minerality and a silky texture. It’s a perfect food wine for seafood or shellfish, and it’s a dynamic little aperitif wine — with just enough salinity and freshness to whet your appetite.

Pretexto Tinto is a traditional Portuguese blend: mostly Jaen (aka Mencia), with some Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and Alfrocheiro added to the blend. It’s plummy and slightly spicy, lightly structured, and sneakily complex. Juicy and supple, but not simple, it offers the same straightforward delights as Cru Beaujolais or Passetoutgrains.


Textura Dao Branco Pretexto 2021 $33.99

Textura Dao Pretexto Tinto 2019 - $33.99