Florão White

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26 October 2026

This 2025 vintage is a Portuguese white wine from Quinta da Fonte Souto in Alentejo, although you might be surprised to see the Symington family name on the label. They’re far better known for their Port and wines from the Douro Valley. The Symington family acquired Quinta da Fonte Souto in 2017, making it their first vineyard estate outside the Douro. The first wines under their ownership arrived in 2019, including this Florão White.

There’s some interesting symbolism on the label. The estate’s stylised emblem brings together three elements: a chestnut tree, a cross associated with the Symington identity and the geometric pattern of vineyards viewed from above. The name Florão refers to an ornamental floral motif found in architecture, jewellery and decorative arts, traditionally used to add beauty and a sense of value. The 2025 vintage is a blend of 75% Arinto and 25% Verdelho, with an alcohol content of 13%.

In the glass, it’s a pale lemon colour, with inviting aromas of mango, peach and white flowers, alongside a distinct mineral character. Take a sip and there’s a lot going on. Pear, apricot and citrus come through beautifully, supported by high acidity and a slightly saline edge that gives it a lovely freshness. It’s dry, with a long, lingering salty finish.

If you spotted this wine on a shelf, I think you’d struggle to know quite what to expect. It’s not immediately obvious how to categorise it, and the label gives very few clues about the style or flavours. For me, there’s something of a Spanish Albariño about it, but with a little more flavour and generosity. It’s particularly expressive when allowed to warm up slightly, around 12°C, when those lovely fruit flavours really start to shine.

The estate describes Florão White as its entry-level wine on its website. Having tasted it, I’d never have guessed. There’s a surprising amount of character, complexity and quality here for something positioned as the starting point of the range.

Available from Waitrose Cellar and Ocado for £15, it is well worth discovering if you fancy a Portuguese white that’s a little different from the usual.

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TipS – Infographics

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