Growing Region Vinho Verde - Portugal

The Vinho Verde region is composed of the subregions DOC Vinho Verde and Vinho Regional Do Minho.

Vinho Verde in the cool, rainy, green northwest is Portugal's largest wine region. Vines grow here in fertile granite soils along the Minho and Douro rivers, which rise in the mountains to the east and make their way until they eventually flow into the Atlantic. One might think that Portugal's northwest is wrapped in a lush, green "mantle." From Melgaço to Vale de Cambra and from Esposende to the granite-gray mountains in Basto on the border with Trás-os-Montes, the landscape is one of undulating ups and downs without extreme heights or vast plains. Here and there, small towns and villages punctuate the landscape. This fertile land is the birthplace of the eponymous Vinho Verde. From this wonderful region with its regional grape varieties comes a unique white wine. Light, fresh, young and wonderfully aromatic, Vinho Verde can be drunk on all occasions: a sunny picnic, a fancy meal in a restaurant, a romantic night in ... Vinho Verde is perfect with salads, fish, seafood, vegetable dishes, citrus sauces and Asian food.

More about the wine-growing region Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde – The refreshing white wine

The Vinho Verde region is particularly well known on international markets for its white wines, but its reds are also worth trying. Like the white, the red wine from Vinho Verde is light, fresh, tangy, and should preferably be drunk chilled. It is particularly popular with the locals, is often drunk in traditional restaurants, and goes especially well with grilled sardines. Vinho Verde is also available as a rosé and sparkling wine.

The many subcategories of Vinho Verde

The climate in Vinho Verde varies greatly, which is particularly noticeable in the nine sub-regions into which the region is divided and which are named after different rivers and towns: Monção and Melgaço, Lima, Cávado, Ave, Basto, Sousa, Baião, Paiva, and Amarante.

The grapes from the different sub-regions also differ. The sub-regions of Monção and Melgaço in the far north have lower rainfall and higher temperatures than the rest of the region – ideal conditions for the Alvarinho grape, which is only permitted here. This grape variety produces full-bodied, dry white wines with complex yet subtle aromas: apricots, peaches, and citrus fruits paired with a certain minerality and smokiness. To the south are the sub-regions of Lima, Cávado, and Ave. The main grape variety here is Loureiro, sometimes also Pedernã (or Arinto) and Trajadura. The wines are typically fresh and aromatic, often with a scent of citrus and flowers.

The mountainous areas of Basto and Sousa produce light wines from various grape varieties. In the sub-regions of Amarante and Baião, the Avesso grape variety produces dry, creamy, and mineral white wines.

Amarante, together with the southernmost sub-region of Paiva, is also known for its red wines. From Melgaço to Vale de Cambra and from Esposende to the granite-gray mountains in Basto on the border with Trás-os-Montes, the landscape is hilly without extreme heights or wide plains. Here and there, small towns and villages interrupt the landscape. This fertile land is the birthplace of the Vinho Verde of the same name. This wonderful region with its regional grape varieties produces a unique white wine. Light, fresh, young, and wonderfully aromatic, Vinho Verde can be enjoyed on all occasions: a sunny picnic, a fancy meal in a restaurant, a romantic night in... Vinho Verde goes perfectly with salads, fish, seafood, vegetable dishes, citrus sauces, and Asian food.

Vinho Verde – the insider tip among white wine drinkers

The quality of Vinho Verde and regional brands has increased significantly in recent years. This improvement in quality is due, on the one hand, to better training and the renewed ambition and enthusiasm of today's winegrowers and, on the other hand, to better grapes. Where wine used to climb up arbors, the vines are now raised on modern steel cables so that they are better ventilated, exposed to the sun, and can therefore ripen more healthily. Some delicious wines are grown under the more flexible rules of Vinho Minho. Sometimes regional grape varieties are blended with foreign ones or occasionally aged in wooden barrels.

Main white grape varieties (vary depending on subregion): Alvarinho, Arinto Avesso, Azal, Loureiro, Trajadura

Main red grape varieties (vary depending on subregion): Alvarelhão, Amaral, Borraçal, Espadeiro, Padeiro, Pedral, Rabo de Anho, Vinhão