Regions / Vinho Verde

Wine region

Vinho Verde

Minho

Portugal’s green northwest, between the Minho and Douro rivers. Vines once climbed trees and tall pergolas so farmers could grow food underneath; today most are trained on wires. The region makes fresh, light whites, often with a gentle prickle, as well as serious single-variety Alvarinho and Loureiro and inky, sharp Vinhão reds.

Did you know“Verde” means young, not green. The wines were traditionally drunk in the months after harvest.

Red grapes

Vinhão

White grapes

Alvarinho Loureiro Arinto Avesso Trajadura Azal

Wines from Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde (white)

White

Vinho Verde Branco

Light, crisp whites from the rainy northwest, often low in alcohol and sometimes with a slight sparkle. Everyday blends are some of Portugal’s best-known exports; single-variety Alvarinho and Loureiro offer more depth and age well.

Critics: up to 91 pts

Vinho Verde (red)

Red

Vinho Verde Tinto · Vinhão

Inky purple, tart and fizzy red made mostly from Vinhão. An acquired taste outside the Minho, it is traditionally poured into white porcelain bowls (malgas) that stain purple.

Bottles to try

Producers

Sogrape

Est. 1942

Vila Nova de Gaia · Douro, Dão, Vinho Verde, Alentejo

Portugal’s largest family-owned wine company, founded to make Mateus Rosé. Today it owns Casa Ferreirinha, Sandeman, Quinta dos Carvalhais in the Dão and estates in Vinho Verde and the Alentejo.

Soalheiro

Melgaço · Vinho Verde

A family pioneer in Melgaço that launched one of the first Alvarinho brands of the area in 1982. Known for pure, mineral Alvarinho in many styles, from fresh to oak-aged and sparkling.

Anselmo Mendes

Monção · Vinho Verde

A winemaker nicknamed “Mr Alvarinho” for his detailed work with the grape, including skin-contact and barrel-aged versions such as Muros de Melgaço.

Aveleda

Est. 1870

Penafiel · Vinho Verde

A family estate with famous gardens. Its Casal Garcia brand is one of the best-selling Vinho Verdes in the world.

Quinta do Ameal

Ponte de Lima · Vinho Verde

A Lima valley estate that showed how serious and age-worthy Loureiro can be. Now part of the Esporão group.

Herdade do Esporão

Reguengos de Monsaraz · Alentejo, Douro, Vinho Verde

One of the Alentejo’s leading estates, with a large organic vineyard and an ampelographic collection of native grapes. Also owns Quinta do Ameal and Quinta dos Murças in the Douro.

João Portugal Ramos

Estremoz · Alentejo, Vinho Verde, Douro

A highly influential consultant winemaker turned producer. His Marquês de Borba wines are Alentejo classics.

Quinta do Regueiro

Est. 1988

Melgaço · Vinho Verde

A family estate in Melgaço that began in 1988 with three hectares of Alvarinho and still focuses on the grape. Its main label is Foral de Melgaço, including an Old Vines bottling.

Luís Seabra Vinhos

Est. 2013

Douro · Douro, Vinho Verde, Dão

Founded in 2013 by Luís Seabra, formerly Niepoort’s winemaker, working small old-vine parcels in the Douro, Vinho Verde and Dão with minimal intervention. The Xisto (schist) and Granito (granite) ranges are named after their soils.