Vinho Verde is a unique Portuguese wine, known for for being a light and fresh wine. It makes up a whopping 15% of Portugal’s total wine production. This interesting little wine gets produced in the Minho Region, which is situated in the north of the country. This area has been described as “Portugal’s best kept secret” for it’s great wine and traditional lifestyle. Well worth a visit, if you’re ever in the area and want to get to grips – in the most practical sense – with Vinho Verde wine!

Even though this wine is literally translated into “green wine” – this does not refer to the physical colour, but rather its freshness. This is not the type of wine that you age for years. It’s best to drink and enjoy within the year. When this wine is produced, it does not reach high sugar levels, which is why a long aging process is not required for Vinho Verde. The wine has a slight “fizz”, but can’t be classified as sparkling wine, or even semi-sparkling for that matter.

Despite its light and fresh taste, most of the varieties still have 9% to 11% alcohol, with the Vinho Alvarinho having 11.5 – 15% alcohol. The white wines tend to be the most popular, however there are some great reds from the region. The red wines are made mainly from Vinhão, Borraçal and Amaral grape varieties.

Best enjoyed with dinner – fish or spicy food work well for the whites. I’d recommend a nice chilled bottle of     
Aveleda Follies Trajadura Loureiro to go with you next Thai Curry.