What kind of wine is Vinho Verde?
Vinho Verde (pronounced “veeng-yo vaird”) is a Portuguese wine that comes from the region of Vinho Verde, a Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC), which is the country’s largest appellation. Vinho Verde wines are usually made from a blend of native Portuguese grapes and released without being aged.
What does Vinho Verde mean in Portuguese?
green wine
Vinho Verde (Portuguese: [ˈviɲu ˈveɾðɨ]) (literally ‘green wine’) refers to Portuguese wine that originated in the historic Minho province in the far north of the country. The name means “green wine,” but translates as “young wine”, with wine being released three to six months after the grapes are harvested.
Is all Vinho Verde from Portugal?
Most Vinho Verde is a blend of white grapes, all indigenous to Portugal, but there are two predominant grapes that winemakers are starting to see as more interesting than the others: Alvarinho and Loureiro.
Why is Vinho Verde called that?
The origin of the Vinho Verde name refers to the natural characteristics of the region, which produce dense green foliage, but which also contribute to the wine’s profile with freshness and lightness. It is this youthfulness that the wine is named after, in comparison to other more complex and weighty wines.
Where in Portugal is Vinho Verde?
Minho region
Vinho Verde is a well-known DOC in the Minho region of northwest Portugal. The quality of the wines made here are so fresh and light that they earn the moniker verde (‘green’), which applies even to the red.
What kind of wine does Vinho Verde produce?
Vinho Verde is Portugal’s largest wine region and the third biggest in Europe. The wines produced there are named after the region, contrary to the common belief that Vinho Verde translates as “Green Wine”. Vinho Verde is becoming more popular in recent years, with the region producing more complex and sophisticated wines.
When is the best time to drink Vinho Verde?
On a summer afternoon, it’s really the perfect drink, and can take you into the evening by becoming a fantastic dinner wine. Although Vinho Verde’s popularity in the last decade has surged, there are a lot of misconceptions out there about this affordable and versatile wine.
Why does Vinho Verde wine have light Fizz?
Many of the Vinho Verde wines out there have a light fizz that can be extremely refreshing. Originally, this occurred when carbon dioxide, which is a natural byproduct of fermentation, was trapped alongside the freshly fermented wine during bottling.
When did Vinho Verde Province become a province?
The modern-day ‘Vinho Verde’ region, originally designated in 1908, includes the old Minho province plus adjacent areas to the south. In 1976, the old province was dissolved.