Vinho Verde

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Predominantly granitic soils, with two narrow schist strips running in a southeast–northwest direction.
• Amphitheatre topography open to the Atlantic, dissected by a dense river network that channels maritime winds inland.
• Average annual rainfall of 1,200 mm, concentrated in winter and spring, with a mild climate and no thermal extremes.
• Monção and Melgaço: a northeastern microclimate with high diurnal temperature ranges, sheltered from the sea, ideal for Alvarinho. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The region is bounded to the north by the Minho, to the south by the Douro and the Serra da Freita/Arada/Montemuro ranges, and to the east by the Serra da Peneda/Gerês/Cabreira/Marão ranges.

• DO demarcated in 1908; indigenous varieties (accounting for half the plantings), trained in mid- or high-canopy systems, adapted to each sub-zone. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Vinho Verde wines display aromatic richness, high freshness, balanced acidity, and a tendency toward moderate alcohol levels.
• In Monção and Melgaço, Alvarinho whites are fresh, full-bodied, and mineral, with tropical and citrus aromas.

• Shallow granitic soils combined with Atlantic winds channelled through river valleys govern a gentle ripening process, yielding aromatic, fresh wines with balanced acidity.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the the caderno de especificações.

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-PT-A1545
• Official trade body site — Comissão de Viticultura da Região dos Vinhos Verdes