Cool off this summer with vinho verde

David Falchek, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Jul. 6—The answer to the heatwave ripping though the country comes from Portugal: vinho verde.

You don't need to be familiar with Latin to recognize that vinho verde means "green wine." While you can find red and rosé from the vinho verde region, they are not as prevalent as the spritzy, refreshing white compiled from wonderful, indigenous Portuguese grapes.

With a movement toward lower-alcohol products and a love of bubbles (looking at you, seltzers) happening across alcohol categories, vinho verde fits this modern way of drinking. A standard white wine has 12% alcohol, but vinho verde usually comes in at 10% or less. Many, but not all, vinho verde have some spritz or carbonation (if you see a screw cap, the wine most likely will be bubbly).

Served well chilled, vinho verde may be the most refreshing wine available. Heat and alcohol don't mix well, and those two percentage points make a big difference in your body. Be careful, though, as the general instinct with a wine this refreshing is to guzzle higher quantities.

While Quinta da Calçada Cerqueira Lago 2019 Vinho Verde is on the brink as far as age, it tastes fine. It smells clean and herbal with flavors of lemon and lime plus a prominent fizz, wrapping up with a crisp finish. $10. HHHH

Made exclusively with red grapes, the style of Broadbent NV Vinho Verde Rosé still is in the spirit of vinho verde, showing character of strawberry, cherry and orange zest with a soft finish and just 10% alcohol. $10. HHHH

Portal da Calçada 2019 Vinho Verde Reserva shows its age, with some of the fruit character devolving. The cork-finished bottle has just a slight fizz, a richer body with hibiscus and candied lemon character. $13. HHH 1/2

Many vinho verde are non-vintage, possibly the result of winemakers mixing vintages and a recognition that vinho verde usually are consumed young — within months of bottling. If you are unsure about the age of a bottle, look for a bottling year on the back label and avoid those more than two years old. Another easy-to-find, reliable brand can be found in a tall green bottle: Arca Nova.

If you have never had a vinho verde or if you are fan of seltzers, do yourself a favor on the next 90-degree weekend: get a bottle or two of this wine.

GRADE: Exceptional HHHHH, Above average HHHH, Good HHH, Below average HH, Poor H

DAVID FALCHEK, executive director of the American Wine Society, reviews wines each week.

GRADE: Exceptional HHHHH, above average HHHH, Good HHH, Below average HH, Poor H

DAVID FALCHEK, executive director of the american Wine Society, reviews wines each week.