Vinho Verde Wine Guide: Portugal’s Prominent Wine

Looking for a fantastic wine pair for a sunny day? Vinho Verde Wine is famous for its red, white, and rose blends. This drink is a crowd-favorite in Portugal because of its mouth-zapping acidity, soft carbonation, and low alcohol content-perfect to drink, even at lunchtime.

Once you sip and savor the Vino Verde Wine, you’ll know that this fizzy wine is exceptional and worth the price! So, without further introduction, let’s dig into Portugal’s famous wine, the Vinho Verde.

Origin	Portugal
Types	● White ● Red ● Rose
Characteristics	● Young ● Bubbly ● Low Alcohol
Taste Profile	● Dry ● Light Body ● No Tannins ● High Acidity
ABV	8.5% – 11%
Flavors	● Lemonade ● Lime Zest ● Pink Grapefruit ● Yellow Apple ● White Blossom
Serving	38-45 degrees F
Cellar	1-3 years
Glass Type	White

The Making of Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde or commonly known as “green wine,” is a Portuguese wine that originates from the Vinho Verde region. This region is said to be Portugal’s largest appellation. While Vinho Verde translates to green wine, its name is not connected to its color.

Somewhat, it’s tied to the fact that this wine has yet to age since people usually consume it three to six months after the harvest season. Simply speaking, the word “Verde” means young.

In addition, while these wines exude a slight hint of green hue, the name “Vinho Verde” refers to the region’s green and lush landscape. Producers craft Vinho Verde using blends of Portuguese grapes and release them while it has not yet matured.

There’s even an ongoing popular belief that Vinho Verde is a white wine. But the truth is while eighty-five percent of the Vinho Verde is a white blend, one can find the rose and red styles.

Vinho Verde Wine blends share the same characteristics: light in color, lower alcohol level, crisp, young wines with enough complexity, nice acidity, and fuzzy bubbles.

Once you sip this wine, you’ll find it fresh, light, and fruity. Traditionally, this blend is meant to be drunk young. Of course, remember the wine’s little fizz! All in all, it’s a bright and breezy but affordable wine that everybody loves!

Vinho Verde & it is Killer Characteristics

In the sophisticated world of wines, one can find Vinho Verde unique. Everybody loves this wine for its subtle carbonation, lower alcohol content, and mouth-zapping acidity.

This drink is a famous summer-season brunch beverage in Portugal. Shortly, let’s talk about the characteristics of this perfect summer wine.

Low Alcohol Level

Unlike other wines, most Vinho Verde has low alcohol content. It contains around 11.5% alcohol. What’s even unusual is red Vinho Verde wines have decreased alcohol levels with single-digit alcohol by volume (ABV) than white.

Vinho Verde’s average alcohol range is around 8.5% to 11%. For this reason, this wine is perfect for lunchtime drinking.

Young

Producers released Vinho Verde wines after three to six months turnaround time from harvest season. This young Vinho Verde wine has fruity flavors and is best enjoyed immediately.

Bubbly

When served, Vinho Verde Wine has tiny bubbles caused by the winemaking process. During fermentation, carbon dioxide is trapped inside the wine bottle. This air caused the wine to fizz and bubble upon opening.

Over time, people love this carbonation feeling since it tastes light and a bit acidic but refreshing. Now, winemakers intentionally add a little amount of carbon dioxide to bring the magical syrupy texture.

Vinho Verde & Its Popular Types

Since the Vinho Verde Region is lush, green rolling hills in Northern Portugal, it would not be surprising that wines from this place have different variations. To set things straight, Vinho Verde does not come only in white styles. It’s not surprising to find red and rose tones.

White Vinho Verde

The most popular variation of Vinho Verde wine is the white blend. Manufacturers produced this wine from recommended white grapes like Arinto, Alvarinho, Azal, Avesso, Batoca, Trajadura, and Loureiro. Of all these, Alvarinho and Loureiro can produce single-varietal wines.

While Alvarinho is peachy and aromatic, with high alcohol levels and increased acidity and mineral core.

On the other hand, the most grown Vinho Verde variety, Loureiro, has intense floral and stone fruit aromas with a vibrant texture. Generally speaking, one can find the white Vinho Verde variation fresh, lemon-colored, and new with fruity and floral aromas.

Red Vinho Verde

Red Vinho Verde is crafted from recommended red grape varieties of Azal Tinto, Amaral, Brancelho, Borracal, Espadeiro, Pedral, Padeiro, Rabo de Ovelha, and Vinho.

The most grown red Vinho Verde variety is Vinhao which has an end product of low alcohol but structured wines with peppery and herbal undertones.

Most people consider Red Vinho Verde hard to drink. But others crave its intense taste. This blend is traditionally consumed in the region of Minho in small servings. Some styles are a bit sparkling, and people have it slightly chilled.

One would find Red Vinho Verde distinct from other wines. This style reveals a shade of intense red color and sometimes pink foam with emphasis on fruits. In the mouth, it’s bursting with a taste of a sweet and sour combination.

Rosado Vinho Verde

Sommeliers made the Rosado Vinho Verde variation from Padeiro, Vinhao, Espadeiro, and Touriga Nacional. These highly pigmented grape varieties gave this wine a deeper pink shade than other rose wines.

All in all, its taste is fresh, fruity, harmonious, and persistent. While this Vinho Verde style is a gem, the most hailed Portuguese wine is Vinho Verde Rose: Mateus Rose.

Did Vinho Verde Wine capture your attention? Get more interesting facts about this Portugal favorite in this YouTube video!

Get to Taste Vinho Verde: Its Delightful Flavor Profile

Vinho Verde Wine is a famous, versatile drink. It’s like a bright juice you can enjoy during lunchtime. You can have it, too, as a cool beverage on a summer day.

Due to its pleasant and balanced acidity, Vinho Verde is refreshingly light. Here’s a quick recap of the flavor profile of this prominent wine in Portugal.

• Crisp, light, dry, and refreshing
• Slight effervescence
• Fantastic light fizz
• Low alcohol level
• Light-bodied
• Flavor notes of green apple, citrus, and stone fruits
• Nice blend of flavors

Food Mix and Match of Vinho Verde

One of the best things about Vinho Verde wine is its natural versatility. It goes perfectly well with all types of food that would pop into your mind. The golden rule is to always go for light and bright when mixing and matching Vinho Verde with food.

Vinho Verde loves sea creatures. So, the next time you’re having seafood, wrap it with a sip of Vinho Verde. It would complement plates of seafood filled with a rich sauce or coating of breadcrumbs. On top of everything, pair it with grilled fish, fresh sea urchin, lobster, and crab.

With its fuzzy, tiny bubbles, white and Pink Vinho Verde styles can stand with prosecco on a brunch or picnic. These wine variations go well with fresh, tangy cheeses, cold rotisserie chicken, prosciutto, and Greek salad.

Since Red Vinho Verde is more light-bodied but has more acidity, treat them like white blends when finding their match. Usually, they would go hand in hand with meals loaded with fresh herbs.

Due to its high acidity, Vinho Verde can do wonders when paired with appetizers or light, balanced meals like seasonal salads, seafood, fish, white meat, sashimi, and sushi. Here’s a quick list of the best food pairs in Vinho Verde:

• Seafood dishes like clams, light fish, oysters, and shrimp
• Hot and spicy foods
• Burgers
• Vegetable Meals such as savory tomato crisp and orange fennel salad
• Asian cuisines
• Meat such as barbeque, fried chicken, wings, and skillet chicken
• Fruit desserts

Aging Potential of Vinho Verde

You would find Vinho Verde typically served immediately after its bottling and release. That’s why wine enthusiasts called it a young wine.

However, other premium qualities of Vinho Verdes have a long aging potential from five to seven years. If you’re able to spot some, that’s a gem!

With its lovely taste profile and reasonably fair aging potential, we don’t see a problem adding Vinho Verde to your wine cellar! You can build a collection of age-worthy, handpicked Vinho Verde Wines.

Serving Vinho Verde the Best Way

When having Vinho Verde, a colder or chiller version is the way to go. But you can have it warm too! If it is too hot outside, keep your ice bucket within reach. Serve your Vinho Verde in stemmed wine glasses for an elegant modern look.

Worthy Bargain Deals of Vinho Verde Wine

It is no doubt that Vinho Verde is a great bargain. It’s cost and style friendly. When downsizing the budget, Vinho Verde would make a fantastic alternative to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio or Gris.

So, take a quick look at the best deals on Vinho Verde Wine available across the market!

Vinho Verde Deals	Style	ABV	Price
LB7 Vinho Verde	White	10%	£8.99
Vinho Verde Branco	White	11%	£11.63
M&S Found Vinho Verde	Rose	11%	£7.50
2013 Espumante Bruto	Red	10.5%	£19.95
QL Flowers Vinho Verde	White	10.5%	£9.50

Sip, Savor, Repeat!

Vinho Verde will become an excellent wine choice if you want something light but extraordinary. This drink gained its reputation of being food-friendly because every time you have it, you can’t explain, but the meal turns magical!

So, the next moment you’re having a delightful and fancy dinner, never hesitate to reach for a cool glass of Vinho Verde Wine! Happy Drinking!