Vinho Verde

The Portuguese DOC of Vinho Verde has carved out a niche for its crisp, wallet-friendly whites with a hint of spritz.

Vinho Verde wine is made in the Portuguese wine region of the same name. It’s made from various native grapes, including Alvarinho, Loureiro, Avesso, Arinto and Vinhão. The area is best known for crisp, sensibly priced whites with a hint of spritz, but winemakers there also make cracking red and rosé wines.

What sets Vinho Verde wines apart from other light wines? The wines are young – released within three to six months of the harvest – and famous for their characteristic refreshing nature and subtle carbonation. This gentle fizz was originally an accidental addition due to quick bottling before fermentation was complete, but it is now intentionally replicated by winemakers.

The wines’ high acidity and low alcohol content make them the perfect summer drink, but they’re wonderful all year round when paired with food or simply on their own.

The Vinho Verde wine region is in northwest Portugal. It’s a large region that stretches from the Spanish border in the north down to the city of Oporto.

Vinho Verde is split into nine separate wine regions:

• Monção e Melgaço
• Lima
• Cávado
• Ave
• Sousa
• Paiva
• Baião
• Amarante
• Basto

The region has a cool, marine climate due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. This climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly and retain a crisp acidity. The geography of Vinho Verde includes granitic soils, rolling hills and many rivers, such as the Minho and Douro.

Combined, these terroirs give Vinho Verde wines their flavours and unique, light quality.

The Vinho Verde region in Portugal has been producing wine for over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest wine regions in the country. The Romans were the first to cultivate vines here, and wine production grew over the centuries.

In 1908, Vinho Verde was officially recognised as a wine region and made a DOC in 1984. Historically, farmers would cultivate the vines around the borders of other food crops, growing the grapes on pergolas to keep them off the ground.

Following on from its ancient winemaking history, Vinho Verde is known for modern and innovative winemaking techniques. Today, it is famous for producing refreshing, light and slightly carbonated wines.

Vinho Verde is a unique style of wine from Portugal with its own distinct character. The name ‘Vinho Verde’ translates to ‘green wine’, but this doesn’t refer to the wine’s colour. It refers to the youthfulness of the wine, as Vinho Verde is meant to be drunk young. The region’s lush and green landscape also helps to shape the wine’s crisp profile.

Vinho Verde is most commonly produced as a white wine, but it is also made in red and rosé styles. White Vinho Verde is made from a combination of native grape varieties, including Alvarinho, Loureiro, Avesso and Arinto, and comes in a range of yellow shades, from light lemon to straw.

The wines are typically light- to medium-bodied and are often characterised by their fresh, vibrant and slightly fizzy nature.

White Vinho Verde wines are also known for their high acidity, which adds to their fresh character. They are typically low in alcohol – often around 8-11% – making them a lighter choice compared to many other wine styles. Expect aromas of orchard fruits, citrus and blossom and bursts of citrus and tropical fruits.

If you’ve opted for a less common red Vinho Verde wine, you can expect fresh, vibrant flavours and aromas supported by a strong tannic profile and sometimes sharp acidity. Typical notes include raspberry and strawberry, underpinned with savoury, earthy or herbal notes. Some wines may also have a subtle minerality, a result of the region’s coastal influence. Think more rustic than refined with red Vinho Verde wines, and you won’t be too far off the mark.

Regional differences exist, mainly due to the use of different grape varieties across the Vinho Verde region. For instance, the subregions of Monção and Melgaço are known for using Alvarinho grapes, which often create wines that are slightly fuller and richer.

White Vinho Verde wines are versatile when it comes to food pairings thanks to their high acidity, light body, and refreshing flavours. If you want to enjoy the wine like a local, pair a glass with a plate of grilled sardines to cut through the oily richness of the fish and act like a squeeze of lemon.

Try Vinho Verde with a bowl of Caldo Verde, a traditional Portuguese soup made from potatoes, shredded kale and chorizo. The wine’s crisp, light profile balances out the soup’s richness. A glass of white Vinho Verde is also delicious when paired with sushi, a zesty Niçoise salad, grilled chicken or spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes.

When it comes to red Vinho Verde, the wine is equally versatile. Delicious local pairings include Bacalhau à Brás – a traditional Portuguese salted cod dish – but tomato-based pizzas, pasta, rich, spicy sausages and grilled lamb are also good bets. Red Vinho Verde wines are known for their high acidity and moderate bodies – ideal for complementing rich flavours.

Vinho Verde wines, both white and red, are best enjoyed when served chilled.

Like other light-bodied white wines, the ideal serving temperature for white Vinho Verde is around 8-10°C.

Red Vinho Verde should be slightly warmer, at around 10-12°C. Serving them at these temperatures enhances their crisp and refreshing character.

A standard white wine glass works best for serving white Vinho Verde, as the shape concentrates its delicate aromas. For red Vinho Verde, a smaller red wine glass can help capture its fresh fruit notes. Remember, these wines are best enjoyed young – there’s no need to be patient!