Wines Douro Wine & Soul LDA - Guru - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Wine & Soul’s Cuvée Guru 2020 is a fascinating dry white wine from the Douro Valley, crafted with meticulous attention to the region’s traditions and unique terroir. This cuvée typically blends indigenous Portuguese grape varieties such as Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato, and Códega do Larinho, gathered from old vines rooted deep in schist soils. The 2020 vintage benefitted from a relatively mild winter, followed by a warm, even summer, which allowed for a steady and balanced grape maturation, producing wines with excellent freshness and vibrant acidity. Vinification is precise, respecting the character of each variety—careful hand-harvesting, gentle pressing, and ageing in both stainless steel and used French oak barrels, lending the wine subtle complexity and structure without overpowering its varietal expression.

The Douro Valley is celebrated for its dramatic terraced vineyards carved along the steep banks of the Douro River. The region endures long, hot summers and cold winters, contributing to wide diurnal temperature swings that preserve acidity and freshness in the fruit. Its distinctive schist and granite soils impart a distinct minerality to the wines, supporting deep root systems and low-yielding vines, which concentrate both flavour and character. Once known almost exclusively for its iconic Ports, today the Douro produces some of Portugal’s finest dry whites, with a winemaking history stretching back centuries, shaped by both tradition and innovation.

Cuvée Guru 2020’s bright citrus and orchard fruit notes, refined floral undertones, and undercurrent of mineral salinity make it a versatile accompaniment at the table. It pairs beautifully with seafood—grilled octopus, prawn risotto, or a classic bacalhau à brás (Portuguese salt cod with potatoes and eggs). Local cheeses such as a creamy Queijo da Serra or a semi-hard São Jorge work wonderfully, as do lightly spiced Mediterranean dishes, roast chicken with lemon and herbs, or even sushi, highlighting the wine’s crisp freshness.

For the best tasting experience, serve Cuvée Guru 2020 chilled but not too cold, ideally between 10-12°C. This will let its delicate aromatics and elegant structure shine through, offering a genuine expression of Douro’s modern white wines.