Vinho Verde
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Vinho Verde (Portuguese:
Vinho Verde is not a grape variety, it is a
The region is characterized by its many small growers, which numbered around 19,000 as of 2014. Many of these growers used to
Styles
The majority of the wines classified as Vinho Verde are white, but the region is also known for the production of red and rose wines. The white Vinho Verde is very fresh, due to its natural acidity, with fruity and floral aromas that depend on the grape variety. The white wines are lemon- or straw-coloured, around 8.5 to 11% alcohol, and are made from local grape varieties
The red and rose Vinho Verde wines are much less common than the white ones. That is caused mainly by the region's climatic conditions with its relatively cool temperatures and high level of rainfall that make it impossible for the red wine grapes to ripen. The Vinho Verde red wines usually have red color and a fruity flavor with the tasting notes of pepper, peony, and sour plum. Vinho Verde rose wines are also not very common, they have a slightly pink or intense color and red berries flavor.[6]
Vinho Alvarinho is made from
grapes.History
The Romans Seneca the Younger and Pliny the Elder both made reference to vines in the area between the rivers Douro and Minho.[7]
A record exists of a winery being donated to the Alpendurada convent in Marco de Canaveses in 870 AD, and the vineyards seem to have expanded over the following centuries, planted by religious orders and encouraged by tax breaks. Wines were mostly produced for domestic consumption, although Vinho Verde may have been exported in the 12th century, to England, Germany, and Flanders.[8] The first definite exports to England are recorded by John Croft as taking place in 1788.[7]
The arrival of maize in the 16th century left a distinctive stamp on viticulture in the region. To maximize production of maize, new regulations banished vines to the field margins, where they would be draped over trees and hedges, forcing the vignerons to pick them from tall ladders. Today, you can find some examples of vines trained by the old methods, but most of the Vinho Verde Region is now using modern methods, which give larger and better yield.
The "Vinho Verde Region" was demarcated by the law of September 18, 1908 and a decree of October 1 of the same year.
Currently, nearly 21,000 hectares of vineyards are planted, making up 9% of the total in Portugal.[9] There are around 19,000 producers, down from 72,590 in 1981.[10] Around 600 bottlers in the region produce 85 million liters of wine each year. 86% of the wine from Vinho Verde is white.[1]
Subregions
The Vinho Verde DOC is divided into nine subregions, which may be indicated on the wine label together with the name of Vinho Verde, for example as Vinho Verde-Amarante.[11] The subregions are:[8] Amarante, Ave, Baião, Basto, Cávado, Lima, Monção e Melgaço, Paiva, and Sousa.
Grapes
The grape varieties recommended or permitted for the DOC are as follows:
- Recommended white grapes: Trajadura
- Permitted white grapes: Esganinho, Esganoso de Castelo de Paiva, Esganoso de Lima, Fernão Pires, Lameiro, Rabigato, S. Mamede and Semilão
- Recommended red grapes: Vinhão
- Permitted red grapes: Sousão and Verdelho Tinto.[12]
The two most successful white wine varieties are Alvarinho and Loureiro. Alvarinho tends to produce low yields and can reach much higher alcohol levels. The grape is widely planted in the northern Minho between the Lima Valley and Spanish border. Loureiro produces higher yields but very aromatic wines. The most successful red wine grape has been Vinhão, followed by Amaral / Azal Tinto and Espadeiro. These grapes can produce wines with deep purple coloring and peppery notes.[5]
See also
- Verjuice
- List of Portuguese wine regions
- Rios do Minho VR
- Health effects of wine
- Vino Novello
- Nouveau
- Federweisser
References
- ^ a b "Vinho Verde: 101 | Vinho Verde". winesofvinhoverde.com. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- ^ "Destalo Wine | Vinho Verde". July 29, 2017.
- ISBN 0-684-17772-2. p. 158
- ISBN 978-1-4419-5190-8
- ^ ISBN 0-7566-1324-8
- ^ "Your 2022 guide to Vinho Verde wine region". www.winetourism.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
- ^ a b c d "Chronology". Comissao de Viticultura da regiao dos vinhos verdes. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
- ^ a b c "?". Comissao de Viticultura da regiao dos vinhos verdes. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-01-24. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
- ^ "Vinho Verde". Comissao de Viticultura da regiao dos vinhos verdes. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-11-05. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
- ^ "Production Statistics". Comissao de Viticultura da regiao dos vinhos verdes. 2006. Archived from the original on February 8, 2005. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
- ^ Official Journal of the European Union C 187/1, 8.8.2009: List of quality wines produced in specified regions (reflects situation as of July 31, 2009)
- ^ "Grape Varieties for the Vinho Verde". Comissao de Viticultura da regiao dos vinhos verdes. 2006. Archived from the original on October 14, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
External links
- vinhoverde.pt Official website of the Comissão de Viticultura da região dos vinhos verdes
- Vinho Verde Artigo de referência sobre este vinho