VINHO VERDE Sales INCREASE a WHOPPING 250% in Volume in America by Philip S. Kampe

After attending an extremely well-polished, sophisticated wine tasting featuring PORTUGAL'S "Light, Spontaneous Wine", VINHO VERDE, I realized that I was drinking 'Summer In A Bottle'.

The aroma of citrus and fresh green herbs seduced me.

Spring is in the air and somehow, the citrus, tart, pear/apple flavors of VINHO VERDE burst onto my palate as if it were 95F (35C) outside and I was hot and in need of a beverage to quench my thirst.

VINHO VERDE is a wine from the MINHO region of northern Portugal. I have not visited the area, but, have heard from others how majestic the region is.

Vinho Verde means 'Green Wine' but when translated by the vineyard owners and winemakers at the tasting, they say Vinho Verde actually means 'Young Wine'.

VINHO VERDE refers only to this one region in Portugal and has no imitators. The wine can be white, red or rose. Many wine growers, due to tradition, 'Train their Vines' high off of the ground to help create an easier harvest (see FACTS below).

FACTS about VINHO VERDE:
+ The Romans reached the Atlantic (Portugal) 2000 years ago carrying Vinho Verde's first vines.
+ First recorded sales transaction of Vinho Verde occurred in 870 A.D.
+ Vineyards were planted by religious orders to take advantage of tax breaks.
+ In the 12th century wines were exported to England, Germany and Flanders.
+ With the arrival of corn in the 16th century and lack of space to plant the crops, the vineyard owners were told to drape their vines on trellises and use ladders to pick the grapes, thus making room for the corn.
+ The 'Vinho Verde Region' was recognized by law on September 18, 1908.
+ Regulations controlling the production of Vinho Verde were set-up in 1929.
+ Vinho Ver4de received its DOC in 1984.
+ Currently there are over 90,000 acres (35,000 hectares) of vines planted in the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.
+ There are over 600 bottling plants in the region.
+ 80 Million liters of wine are produced annually, with 85% White, 13% Red and 2% Rose.

Portugal is renowned for it's production of wines and known for PORT and MADEIRA.
The reputation and popularity of Vinho Verde is growing internationally. The wine has a slight spritz, once due to a secondary fermentation.

When you discover the taste of Vinho Verde and ask what grapes are used to make the wine, numerous indigenous varieties emerge.
The WHITE Grape Varieties of Vinho Verde include:
ALVARINHO (Albarino)
ARINTO
AVESSO
AZAL
BATOCA
LOUREIRO
TRAJADURA

The RED Grape Varieties of Vinho Verde are:
ALVARELHAO
AMARAL
BORRACAL
PADEIRO
PEDRAL
RABO-de-ANHO
VINHAO

The two most successful white varietals include ALVARINHO (Albarino) and LOURIRO.
ALVARIHNO produces low yields,while the aromatic LOURIRO produces higher yields.
Most whites contain medium alcohol(12.5%) and are usually lemon/straw in color.
Whites tend to be dry, medium to full-bodied and aromatic with fruity, citrus overtones.

Red wine production is dominated by the VINHAO grape. Wines tend to be full-bodied with intense color. Most vineyards thrive in the granite-rich soil that dominates the hillsides or man-made terraces (like Douro).

There are many well known producers of VINHO VERDE.
My favorite labels include:
WINES OF VINHO VERDE
VINIVERDE,S.A.
VALUE WINES
SOLAR do LOUREDO
SOLAR de SERRADE
SOGRAPE VINHOS,S.A.
QUINTA de GOMARIZ
QUINTA de CARAPECOS
QUINTA das ARCAS
QUINTA da RAZA
QUINTA da LIXA
PROVAM
JOSE MARIA da FONESCA
ENOPORT UNITED WINES
CASA de SEZIM
BROADBENT SELECTIONS
AVELEDA
ADEGA COOPERATIVA de PONTE de LIMA

VINHO VERDE wines have gained renewed popularity (250% increase in volume in 2010-2011) in America. The enthusiasm has propelled a three-year campaign to create awareness and interest in VINHO VERDE wines in the U.S.A. At the reasonable price points and outstanding quality of the Wines of Vinho Verde, it is easy to jump on the bandwagon.

Here are a few of my Favorites:
Fonesca 2010 "TWIN VINES" $9.99 a bottle
Fuzelo 2010 "VINHO VERDE" $7.99 a bottle
Casal Garcia 2011 "VINHO VERDE" $6.49 a bottle
Gazela 2011 "VINHO VERDE" $6.69 a bottle

PHILIP S. KAMPE
WineFoodTravel@yahoo.com