Vinho Verde is typically a bargain, light, refreshing low alcohol wine that can be served as aperitif or with a variety of foods.
What exactly is Vinho Verde?
Vinho Verde is not a type of grape, but it’s a wine region in the region of Minho, Portugal. Although it makes reds, rosés, sparklings and more serious whites, Vinho Verde is best known for its light, low-alcohol, fresh, often slightly fizzy and sometimes off-dry white wines, which is generally the only style you find outside of Portugal. 70% of their vineyards are dedicated to white varieties. Alvarinho, Arinto, Avesso, Azal-Branco, Batoca, Loureiro and Trajadura are the recommended and most typical white varieties used although there are others that are allowed in a lesser role in the blend.
Alvarinho (Albariño in Galicia, Spain) is often the featured grape in Vinho Verde. In fact, some producers are now labeling their wines Vinho Verde Alvarinho to indicate that it’s a bigger white wine with higher alcohol made exclusively from Alvarinho. While typical Vinho Verde may range from 8.5-11% alcohol, Vinho Verde Alvarinho labeled whites may reach up to 13%.
I’ve only run across a few Vinho Verde labels here in Chile, where Chilean Sauvignon Blanc can more than fill the role that Vinho Verde does. Therefore, it’s not often in my cellar. At the same time, no Chilean Sauvignon Blanc is ever as low in alcohol nor slightly effervescent. That’s why I decided to pick up a bottle and review one for the blog.
Tasting Notes
2022 Vilacetinho Vinho Verde
Not necessarily easy to find in Chile, but this is the Vinho Verde label I’ve seen the most here. It was only $11, which is cheap for an import. 10% alcohol; Avesso, Arinto, Azal and Loureiro; Green citrusy notes with a bit of white peach, but there’s also a salty side on the palate. The nose is medium-low intensity but the palate is expressive, slightly fizzy and easy to drink but not the most complex. It’s sort of like a natural, flat Sprite or a simple fizzy Riesling or slightly sweet Sauvignon Blanc. Of course, it’s also similar to Spanish Txakoli, another light, fizzy white. Great for summer drinking. This is textbook Vinho Verde. 89