Vinho Verde :: Portugal’s Summer Wine

Oh, vinho verde. You are my perfect summertime patio drink. Last spring, my girlfriends and I embarked on a trip to Portugal and immediately began our journey with a walking food and history tour. During our first stop we tried a couple of local dishes (finger foods like spiced olives and fried green beans) and a favorite local wine, vinho verde. When I took my first sip on that warm spring day, I was HOOKED. The wine had a subtle fizz, reminiscent of a sparkling wine and was crisp and smooth. AKA: the perfect summer wine.

The Portuguese drink vinho verde during the summertime because it gets so warm (and it’s VERY affordable). It’s literally a patio drinking wine and some even refer to it as “cheap and cheerful”. In order to help acquaint you with your new favorite summer wine, I’ll share a few fun facts (or just facts).

Vinho Verde is actually a region in northern Portugal. It actually spans the area between Porto and the border of Spain (to the north). You can find it classified within the Minho wine region (named for one of the rivers that runs through the area). This climate is known for its more mild temperatures (versus sunny Lisbon) and for receiving more rain.
Vinho verde is also known as “green wine” because it’s harvested from the most youthful crops of grapes. Grapes that haven’t fully matured are higher in acidity (you’ve probably experienced the sour taste of biting into a mini grape from the store), which adds to the crispness of the wine.
Vinho verde often comes with a fresh fizz. This was originally captured by the earlier wine makers when trying to bottle quickly. The fermentation period completed in the bottle, creating a natural fizz! The acidity of the younger grapes helped, as well. HOWEVER, the 20th century vinho verde fizz is now artificially added. That extra (but very subtle) fizz is something I would consider a trademark of the wine.
It pairs well with the classic Portuguese food groups: fish and potatoes. I’m not a seafood gal, but the Portuguese DO IT RIGHT. I was constantly eating fresh seafood as we traversed the cities and countryside of Portugal, consistently impressed with how they were able to capture the fresh and flavorful essences in their dishes. Since vinho verde is high in acidity, it pairs well with the more traditional (and common) Portuguese dishes.
While tasting, you’ll pick up notes of lemonade, white melon, gooseberry, grapefruit and lime (Wine Folly).
It’s affordable! We picked up a bottle of vinho verde in Lisbon (recommended by a local wine enthusiast we bumped into) for FOUR EUROS. A whole bottle! You can typically find a good bottle in the US for $8-12.

And there you have it! A crash course in vinho verde, one of my favorite summertime wines. It’s a great way to bring the taste of Portugal into your own home.