Vinho Verde. This is not just a wine, but also the name of the region from which it originates. It stretches in northwestern Portugal between the Douro and Minho rivers. The region is very green, hence the name of the wine (Portuguese for "green wine"). In the flat valleys near the river, grapes are grown for cheap mass production, while on the more inhospitable slopes, exciting, low-yielding grapes grow, which are cultivated for the production of high-quality wines.
In the past, the region received little attention, and those who did know it were associated with light white wines, reminiscent of spritzers, with low alcohol content but carbonation (like lemonade) and no aftertaste. Vinho Verde was classified as a student wine and placed in the same category as, for example, retsina. 
The Mino River – border river to Spain
Demand for Portuguese wines is currently quite high. This is due, among other things, to the fact that these wines currently offer the best value for money in Europe. However, this trend is also largely due to the tireless work of a few visionary winemakers who focus on quality over quantity. They deserve the credit for the region's quiet transformation, and we are fortunate to be working with three representatives of this group: João Cabral Almeida, Pedro Araújo of Quinta do Ameal, and the Cerdeira family of Quinta do Soalheiro.
These wineries are located far from the fertile valley of the Lima and Minho rivers, where large quantities of uninteresting grapes are harvested to fill the aforementioned supermarket shelves.
The yields of these quality wineries are far lower than those of their major competitors, but the wine is more concentrated and an expression of its terroir.
In Vinho Verde, white wines are clearly the star. The region's red wines have so far been of little interest and are primarily intended for private consumption. Because they contain high levels of rustic tannins, they pair well with typical local dishes such as lampreia in red wine sauce.
The white wines are mostly matured without barriques, have a low alcohol content (around 11 to 12% vol.) and delight with plenty of freshness and minerality.
The best grapes for the white wines are Alvarinho from Monção and Melgaço, Loureiro from the Lima region. These wines have excellent aging potential of around 10 years and develop like good Rieslings.
Quinta do Ameal property
João Cabral Almeida is a talented winemaker and oenologist, but he doesn't own his own land. These winemakers are also known as garage winemakers because they can make their wines anywhere, even in garages. We've been buying Camaleão, a blend of 70% Loureiro and 30% Alvarinho, from him for some time now. The 2016 vintage was rated 92 by Parker!
We source a Vinho Verde made from 100% Loureiro from Pedro Araújo of Quinta do Ameal. His 2016 vintage was also awarded 92 points by Parker.
Luis Cerdeira from Quinta do Soalheiro
And of course, a Vinho Verde made from 100% Alvarinho is a must! We source it from Quinta do Soalheiro. It received the same score: 92 points.
These three wines reflect the region and are a wonderful example of what good Vinhos Verdes can be. They are perfect as an aperitif, go perfectly with fish dishes, and are the ideal accompaniment to asparagus.
Here is our selection of Vinho Verde, wines from Portugal.
