Wine of the week: Vinho verde

Here’s what you need to know about vinho verde:

• It’s cheap, about $5 or $6.

• It’s a white wine with a greenish tint (though there is also some red, not as enjoyable).

• It’s a Portuguese wine from the Vinho Verde region, made with a variety of gapes most of us have never heard of.

• It needs to be well chilled, or else it tastes like warm, slightly flat beer.

• It’s mostly dry, with subtle green apple and lime flavors, but also low in alcohol – and may even have a bubbles.

• Avoid older vintages. This wine is not made to age.

• There are about a half dozen brands on the market at any one time, and they all taste pretty much the same. Some of them are, in fact, the same wine, with different labels for different retailers. I bought the Casal Garcia this year, but you'll also find Aveleda, Famega, and Gazela.

• Drink it by itself, or with any kind of summer food. I wouldn’t do it with beef, but hamburgers might be OK.

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Comments

[Michael Wangbickler]

Nothing says summer like a glass of Vinho Verde and some nibbles on the patio.

[Jeff Siegel]

And it's cheap, too!

[David]

I find it tastes just like Muscadet (though somewhat less expressive) for half the price. However, I don't like the bubbles. I like it much better when it warms a bit from fridge temperature and losses the bubbles.

[Jeff Siegel]

Muscadet is a good comparison. And you've reminded me that it's time to do my annual vinho verde post.