How Can a Green Wine (Vinho Verde) Be a Rose, too?

I first heard of Portuguese Vinho Verde wine in a wine shop in St. Petersburg, Russia. The store clerk held the bottle up, twirled it, and held it toward the light: "See, it's very light green." Looking closely, I didn't see it but said, "Yeah, I see it. It's really green. So odd."

I bought it and fell in love. Fast-forward three years, and I found myself living in Portugal's Vinho Verde region, known as the Minho Region. Minho covers most of the far north of the country. Almost immediately after our arrival, there was a Vinho Verde festival, and in the heart of the city of Braga, over 40 producers from the region were offering tastings of the wine for as little as $1 a glass. It was sheer madness, and we tried almost every wine being presented.

By the third glass, we were offered a Rose Vinho Verde. Watching the winemaker pour two chilled glasses of one of the most beautifully-colored pink wines I had ever seen, the question came out of my mouth before I could stop it: "How can a rose be a green wine, also?" Holding the glass up to the evening sky, I searched for the hidden green streaks in the valore-like liquid.

Being a cultured and typically polite Portuguese man, I wasn't the first foreigner to mistake the wine's "controlled designation of origin" (DOC).

The Wine Isn't Green--the Region is!

Vinho Verde Region

Vinho Verde is a unique wine region in the far north of Portugal, bordering the Minho River. The name "Vinho Verde" translates to "green wine," which may refer to the region's lush, green landscape or the youthful nature of the wines produced there.

The region is known for producing a variety of wine styles, including white, rosé, and red wines. The most common style of Vinho Verde is a low-alcohol (9-11%), fresh white wine made from a blend of grape varieties such as Loureiro, Trajadura, and Alvarinho. These wines are usually bottled with some remaining gas, creating a light, floral wine with a slight spritz.

Vinho Verde wines are loved for their mouth-zapping acidity, subtle carbonation, and lower alcohol content, making them a great choice for summer. The quality of Vinho Verde wines has recently significantly improved, transitioning from cheap imitations to dynamic, complex wines. This improvement is due to better grape cultivation techniques, refined cellar practices, and a focus on primary grape types such as Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Trajadura.

Red Vinho Verde is made from grapes like Vinhão, while rosé versions often use Espadeiro.

The bright acidity and light body of Vinho Verde wines make them excellent companions for a variety of dishes, including:

• Grilled fish and seafood (especially grilled sardines, a favorite in Portugal)

• Light salads

• Citrusy dishes

• Soft cheeses

• Barbecued chicken

Overall, Vinho Verde offers a range of versatile and enjoyable wine styles, particularly during the warmer months.