Vinho Verde is a wine region in Northern Portugal known for making affordable white wines with great acidity. Vinho Verde translates to mean “Green Wines”, which describes both the place where these wines are produced and how they taste. The area where Vinho Verde wines are made has green and new landscapes. Likewise, descriptors like lime, grapefruit, lemonade, white melon, and gooseberries are associated with Vinho Verde wines. A small amount of red and rose wines are produced in the Vinho Verde region but the majority of the wines produced are white wines using a number of local grape varietals.
The six most common grape varietals you will see in white wines from Vinho Verde are Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Loureiro, and Trajadura. Many times, wines are blended with a combination of some of these grape varietals but you do see single-varietal wines produced, particularly with the Alvarinho and Loureiro grapes.
Vinho Verde wines are usually quite acidic, low in alcohol content and slightly carbonated. Historically, Vinho Verde wines were carbonated because fermentation was quick. Now most Vinho Verde is artificially carbonated, although higher-end producers may shy away from carbonating their wines. These characteristics of Vinho Verde wines make them a perfect summer sipper! The best part is Vinho Verde wines are normally quite inexpensive. So here are a few choices you might want to try:
Bico Amarelo 2021 Vinho Verde – BC Liquor Stores does not have a large selection of Vinho Verde but here is a wine that is widely available at BCLS. This wine is made with a blend of Alvarinho, Avesso and Loureiro grapes. Great acidity with citrus, lime and stone fruit flavours and is a wonderful pairing with ceviche or shellfish. Priced at BCLS at $15.99
Sogrape Vinho Verde Gazela – another wine widely available at BCLS. Sogrape is a large company founded in Portugal in 1942. They are famous for producing Mateus wines. From its vibrant label to its name, to how it tastes, this wine exudes fun! It is again a blended wine made with Loureiro, Trajadura and Pederna grapes. It is light (nine per cent alcohol), refreshing and slightly fizzy. You will get lime and tropical fruit flavours. A great alternative to either champagne or heavier white wines. On sale this month at BCLS from $12.99 to $10.99
Quinta da Lixa 2022 Escolho Estate Vinho Verde – you might have a harder time finding this wine in BCLS but there is still some around. This winery was established in 1986 in the village of Lixa and now sells over seven million bottles of wine a year. This wine is made with a blend of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura grapes. You will get some floral elements on the nose with tropical elements on the palate. This is a wine with a bit more body so it can pair with seafood pasta and even light meat dishes. On sale this month at BCLS from $17.99 to $14.97
Quinta da Raza 2022 Rose – for wine geeks, Quinta da Raza is a winery that was instrumental in the revival of the Padeiro grape varietal, which was in danger of disappearing. The Pandeiro grape produces wines with lots of red fruit flavours and is mostly used to produce rose wines. This wine is a blend of 50-per-cent Padeiro, 30-per-cent Espadeiro and 20-per-centVinhao. Great summer sipper that you may be able to find in specialty wine stores.
So next time you are looking for summer wine, give a Vinho Verde wine a try. Until next time, happy drinking!
Tony Kwan is the Richmond News' new columnist. Lawyer by day, food and wine lover by night, Kwan is an epicurean who writes about wine, food and enjoying all that life has to offer.
