Vinho Verde ― Get to know the white grape varieties

Today we provide some insight into some of the main Portuguese white grape varieties, this time within the Vinho Verde wine region.

Most white Vinho Verde is highly appreciated for its freshness, acidity and aromatic grapes. The variety of grapes used will however determine the typical features of each wine. These can diverge in the levels of acidity, alcohol, intensity and aromatic flavours. There are nine Vinho Verde sub-regions: Monção, Melgaço, Lima, Basto, Cávado, Ave, Amarante, Baião, Sousa and Paiva, as you can see bellow.

Vinho Verde wine region
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Recommended grape varieties for white wines

Alvarinho

Found in the Northern of Portugal, sub-region of Melgaço and Monção, where the climate is warmer and drier.

It is one of the finest grapes used for Vinho Verde. Alvarinho grape results in a fine, mineral and subtly fragrant wine, sometimes with a light prickle of fizz, citrine colour and a touch of sweetness.

Loureiro

Typical from the North of Portugal, prevalent in the whole region, resembles laurel flowers and orange blossom. Widely used for the production of Vinho Verde combined with other grapes such as Alvarinho and Loureiro, or on its own.

Arinto (Perdeña)

Characterised by its acidity, this grape produces great refreshing wines, often with flavours of apple, lime and lemon. Sometimes it is added to other white wines with lower acidity to boost blends. Arinto grape is predominant throughout the region, especially in the interior zones. It is also used to produce sparkling wines.

Trajadura

Used to make wines with higher alcoholic levels and less acidity than other Vinho Verde grapes. Trajadura offers then something unique in contrast with the remaining Vinho Verde grapes. In fact, it is often blended with these grapes, adding alcohol strength.

It is a aromatic variety, with subtle flavours of peach, apricot, apple, ripe pear and a touch of orange blossom, grown throughout the region.

Avesso

Planted near the sub-regions of Douro, especially Baião sub region, Avesso grapes find in these drier soils the ideal conditions for growing. The grape produces creamy and mineral wines.

Azal BrancoMainly found in the interior sub-regions of the Vinho Verde region: Amarante, Basto, Baião and Sousa. Azal Branco results in delicate wines, soft and fruity, with light acidity. It is often blended with more aromatic grapes.

Vinho Verde white grapes
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Now that you know the main white grape varieties and the difference between them, explore our great Vinho Verde offers according with your own tastes.

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Pairing Portuguese wines with international food

The Portuguese wines have undeniable quality and we all appreciate them. The numbers speak for themselves as their consumption has increased worldwide by 38,4% in 2011, according to the IWSR - International Wine and Spirit Record, while compared with an earlier study in 2007, and it has continually increased in the last two years.

The inheritance of indigenous vine varieties, is appointed by wine experts as a key distinctive factor in comparison with other wine producing countries.

Today, we provide some insight into how to match Portuguese wine with international cuisine dishes.Knowing how and when to have a Portuguese wine can make all the difference to your drinking experience. We picked some popular international dishes and paired them with the most appreciated Portuguese wine types. Have a go and find out how you can have a much enjoyable moment with Portuguese wines.

Food and wine pairing chart
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When we think of Asian Cuisine, garlic, spices, sweet, sour and salty flavours come to our minds. Good news is that there are many Portuguese wines  that go really well with this sort of food. For instance , Vinho Verde which  is a young, refreshing, light wine with low alcohol, often fizzy with fresh acidity, and as such, offers a great contrast to these tasty foods with great, full flavours. To point out the aromatic grapes Alvarinho, with tropical notes, and Loureiro, with floral notes,  which are especially pleasant with these style of  food. Vinho Verde should be served chilled.

Asian inspired stir-fry
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Another great match are the wines containing Fernão Pires grapes such as the ones from Lisboa, Bairrada regions, that have citrus aromas and fresh notes, providing a perfect combination with Asian dishes. Seafood and Fish lovers will be pleased to know that white wines are often a first choice when it comes to choosing a companion for fish. However, red wines should not be forgotten as these are a perfect match  for some kinds of seafood such as squid, octopus or tuna. Sparkling wines from the wine region Bairrada, or red Vinho Verde are also very appreciated with grilled fish.

Mediterranean food flavours
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Red meats are a key ingredient in many international dishes. This is as diverse as game, lamb, beef, pork, offal, charcuterie and rusted meats, and all are best combined with red wines. Within The Reds  there's plenty of choice from full -bodied reds such as the ones from Alentejo and the upper regions of Douro and Tejo, which are very rich, dense and oak-aged, to robust reds,  from Douro and Trás-os-Montes with complex flavours. These wines are very ripe with lots of body, matching  perfectly with these strong  flavoured dishes. Red wines are very rich in tannins, especially from Bairrada and Douro, and become softer as they age.Red wines are a good choice with French Cuisine, such as meat and cheese based dishes.

Similarly, Italian food and its Mediterranean flavours are frankly boosted while consumed with red wine.

Poultry recipes are best served with red wines known as “elegant”.  In this category falls red wine from Dão, intensely flavoured with good acidity and balance, and also Península de Setúbal, made from the grape castelão, fruit driven and aimed to be consumed in their youth. 

If your preference goes to salads and vegetable dishes should be looking for dry, fruity rosés or sparkling wines. The acidity and slight sweetness of these wine types fits the natural sweetness present in these dishes.

And to finalise what can you have with your favourite dessert?

This moment calls for some sort of sweet wine or liqueur, we suggest Moscatel from Setúbal, a Port or Madeira wine.

They are a perfect combination with your end meal whether it is chocolate, cake, fruit or even nuts. 

Now that you have got our tips on how to match Portuguese wine with international food, start making your own combinations, you are guaranteed to be delighted!

As the French would say: “Bon appétit!”

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German Master of Wine in Portugal

The German master sommelier Hendrik Thoma came to Portugal to select the 50 best portuguese wines to sell in Germany.

Germany is on the 7 º place of export destination of portuguese wines and in 2 º when it comes to exporting still wines, with an overall market growth of 11.7 % in value. The three years goal for this market is to grow 14 % using an investment of 260 million euros.

Hendrik Thoma talked about portuguese wines
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The acclaimed wine critic, Henrick Thoma, explained his relationship with portuguese wine has almost 20 years and he has predicted the explosion of quality that happen within our wine market. "The Germans have a positive view of portuguese wines” explained the sommelier, “many of them come into contact with these wines on vacation, then come home and have difficulty finding them".

The expert revealed the secret of growing the portuguese wine market share in Germany: working that which differentiate us. We should implement the notion that the portuguese ​​grape varieties are diverse and unique and that they are USP - Unique Selling Product. As long as the portuguese wines maintain an “unique style” they have no direct competitors in the German market.

Hendrick Thoma points out as their favorite the Alentejo wines, although first known Douro wines and then the regions of Dão, Bairrada and Vinho Verde.

The wine reviewer believes that the way to convince major buyers and sommeliers Germans to put portuguese wines in their restaurants is to show them the portuguese cuisine accompanied by fine portuguese wines. Many of them are unaware of our national culture and products, so the answer is to educate them and to convey an image of credibility and the idea that one can believe in portuguese wine.

Vinho Verde exports to the UK rises

2013 proved to be an excellent year for Vinho Verde with a double digit rise in exports to the UK market. The Vinho Verde wine region reported that production rose and the volumes put out grew by 13% and value sales jumped to 21% to 1.3 million pounds compared to the numbers obtained in 2012.

Globally, exports of Vinho Verde wine have grown by 63% in volume and 91% in value over the last ten years which is a very significant increase and accounts for 36 % of the total business last year, explained Manuel Pinheiro, executive president of the Viticulture Comission of the Vinho Verde Region.

Vinho Verde Region
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Vinho Verde is a unique product. It is the result of climate characteristics of Portugal, the grape varieties mixture and the vine growing methods that accomplished the perfect blend between the aroma and pettilance. This kind of wine contains a medium value of alcohol and has great digestive proprieties because of its freshness, slight fizz and special qualities.  The red Vinho Verde wines normally are full-bodied wines with a great definition in color and rose or light red foam on top. The white wines of this region are usually recognized by the color similar to the color of lemons or grass. Vinho Verde wine is very popular in the warmer seasons, people usually prefer to drink it in the summer time due to its freshness, distinctive taste and cool personality.

The growth in the figures of the UK exports of this wine is reflective of the promotional campaign that Vinho Verde had on for the last three years. It shows that the quality message is getting through to the target audience and people are experimenting with the new wines that this region has to offer, said the president of the CVRVV.