Vinho Verde
The Vinho Verde is Portugal's largest DOC located in the cool, rainy, green northwest. The DOC Vinho Verde connects seamlessly with the Spanish DO Rias Baixas. |
The vines grow on fertile granite soils along rivers that emerge from the mountains in the east and flow into the Atlantic Ocean between golden surf beaches. The Vinho Verde is harvested early and is usually white, slightly sparkling and has a fresh crispy taste.
On hot summer evenings, the most suitable wine may be a bottle of invigorating, slightly effervescent white Vinho Verde. Vinho Verde's high acidity refreshes your mouth and especially complements grilled fish or seafood.
The Minho region, home of Vinho Verde, is located in the northwestern corner of Portugal, right across the border of the Rías Baixas wine region in Spain, the region is particularly green due to the rainfall from the Atlantic Ocean - a possible explanation for the name of the wine
There are two types of white Vinho Verde on the market.
The most common brands, Aveleda and Casal Garcia, are medium-dry wines of average quality that are best served cold.
The more expensive Vinho Verdes are top wines made from the Alvarinho grape (Rías Baixas' Albariño), Loureiro or Trajadura. More complex, drier and more concentrated than regular Vinho Verde, they are among the best white wines in Portugal
More info: Vinho Verde