Well, it’s summer and the weather is warm…it’s time for dining al fresco at an outdoor café, on your backyard deck, at the beach or on a boat in the middle of a lake or the ocean. I’m sure you’re asking yourself…which wine would pair perfectly with any of these scenarios? Answer: Vinho Verde from Portugal! I was introduced to this wine a few years ago at an outdoor event and have been a fan ever since. In my mind, it’s definitely a refreshing, slightly bubbly white wine that is easy to drink on a warm summer day. Who doesn’t like a cool glass of white wine to quench your thirst?
Vinho Verde is a wine region in Portugal. It’s located in the north and faces the Atlantic Ocean to the west. This region produces several varieties of grapes but the grape blend that goes into making a white Vinho Verde include Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Loureiro, and Trajadura. These varieties are foreign to our ears but in Portugal they are very well known. Together they make up the dry, acidic, slightly fizzy wine that Americans have come to know. Vinho Verde also produces red and rosé wines that you may want to venture to try but we’ll focus on the more traditional white blend.
A Vinho Verde white is served chilled at 45-55 degrees F. And if you need a quick chill because you just picked it up at the wine shop and it’s warm, put it into the fridge for 15-20 minutes. That should give it the chill that it needs. PLEASE, don’t throw in ice cubes!
One of my favorite and most surprising discoveries when I first sipped this wine was its effervescence. It tickled my nose and palate. This slight fizz in the wine originally came from carbon dioxide that was trapped during fermentation and bottling. Today, the carbon dioxide is injected artificially to give Vinho Verde that slight sparkle that we know and love!
Some notes on Vinho Verde:
- Tasting notes: lemon, lime, and grapefruit with some definite floral notes.
- Alcohol level: This wine is commonly low in alcohol so it’s a light drink to enjoy anytime.
- Pairing notes: It’s definitely a seafood wine (fish, shellfish, fish tacos, sushi) but it also pairs well with all types of green salads and vegetable dishes, pizza and lemon chicken.
- Cheese pairing notes: Chevre, Feta, Gouda, Mahon, Neufchatel.
- Buying notes: The bottle is usually long and lean. This is the wine with the slight fizz. If you prefer a Vinho Verde without the fizz, go for a bottle with a more traditional rounded shape. Bottles typically run around $10-$20. Take your pick.
Vinho Verde is meant to be drunk right away. It usually has a screw cap so twist and enjoy!
Now that you have a new summer white wine to try out, take it along with you to your next event or outing. No corkscrew needed. By the way, this makes it the perfect take along wine. You won’t be disappointed!
Cheers!