If you head north from the Douro — a stunning river valley known primarily for port wines, and more recently, for bold, structured reds — you'll reach the Minho region, home to the DOC of... Read More

If you head north from the Douro — a stunning river valley known primarily for port wines, and more recently, for bold, structured reds — you'll reach the Minho region, home to the DOC of Vinho Verde.

The 'Verde' in the DOC's name refers not to a Seussian green wine, but rather to its freshness and youth. The vast majority of Vinho Verde is released just a few months after harvest, à la Beaujolais nouveau. The vast majority of Vinho Verde is also produced in bulk by large wine factories, who purchase grapes from the nearly 20,000 small growers of the region. They can be tasty, sure, but they’re not usually distinctive or complex. These are mostly low-ABV, lightly effervescent wines with a hint of sweetness.

But not all Vinho Verde is built the same, and there are a few small growers out there who are making outstanding, mineral-driven wines from Portugal’s great white grapes. The region has been known for viticulture for millennia (vineyards here were referenced by Roman statesmen Seneca the Younger and Pliny the Elder), and small family-owned estates like Quinta do Regueiro are keeping those traditions alive. Their Reserva Alvarinho is one of our summertime staples, with its salinity, the bouquet of fruit and mineral flavors, and its refreshing brightness.