Vinho Verde is bottled summer. You can’t help sipping its spritzy, zesty easy freshness without thinking of warm weather, jolly times and a toe or two on a warm sandy beach.
At this time of year, it’s wine’s way of extending that summery feeling even further into autumn. As if that’s not splendid enough, it remains inexplicably good value and a wine that’s spot on for a session, thanks to its low alcohol content.
The viticultural area of Vinho Verde basks in the Minho region of northern Portugal, bordering Spanish Galicia and the verde (green) refers to the youthful freshness of the wine. Reds and whites are produced here but I’ll concentrate on the whites blended from local grapes including Loureiro, Arinto and Trajadura.
The prevalent Atlantic weather creates a lush environment for the vineyards to flourish and these zippy whites are insanely good to pair with fresh shellfish. If you want to taste a stellar wine from northern Portugal and don’t mind splashing out, Soalheiro Alvarinho 2016 (12.5%) is laser-bright and dazzling, and remains one of my all-time favourite aperitifs.
You can find it at slurp.co.uk for £16.95. Or for good value, Anselmo Mendes ‘Muros Antigos’ Loureiro, Vinho Verde 2016 (12%) is available at The Wine Society for £8.95 – it’s floral, fragrant, vivid and captivating. But for a steal, the Society’s Vinho Verde 2016 (11.5%) is just £6.50 and a trove of snappy, peachy, minerally treasure.
Indeed, own-label wines such as the two below from Sainsbury’s and M&S are often a safe bet with Vinho Verde. But if you buy one wine this week, make it the Adega de Monção Muralhas for £8.50 in my selection below – multi-award winning and your best bet for turning the clock back from autumn to summertime.