If you're looking for a light, slightly fizzy, and fun white wine, look for the Broadbent Vinho Verde. This Portuguese white wine is lower in alcohol than typical white wines, and is bottled with a little added carbon dioxide to give that characteristic spritz. The name Vinho Verde literally means "green wine," but fear not: this wine is white in color. The name refers to the youthfulness of the wine; you want to make sure to drink the freshest, most recent vintage. (Often you have to look at the back label to find this information.) Enjoy this wine with light seafood dishes, especially ceviche.
Other producers make fine versions of this style of wine as well. Please note that Vinho Verde is a region that produces more than just the light, spritzy white wine I have described. I contacted the Viticultural Comission of the Vinho Verde Region and received clarification from Marketing Director Carla Cunha, who stated: "In fact the Vinho Verde Region produces several styles of wine: single varietal or blended, dry or semi-dry, with or without gas, more floral or fruity, sparkling or brandy, white, rosé or red. You will find some white wines with a spritz and others without it but they all share the some freshness and lightness naturally produced in this region."
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Comments
I'm not a wine specialist but I'm Portuguese and must correct some of this info. Vinho Verde (meaning Green Wine) exists in white, red, rose and sparkling. Vinho Verde is from a Wine Region of Portugal and is unique, made from very distinct grapes. Please read the official page about Vinho Verde here http://www.vinhoverde.pt/en/vinhoverde/default.asp
Linda,
Thank you for your update. I know Vinho Verde as a wine region (and am a fan of rosés from this area of Portugal as well) and wish there was a way to label these wines so that it is more clear that it is a region producing a variety of wines, of which this is one type. I'm, however, not sure how to refer to the dry, spritzy white wine from the region that is so prevalent and popular beyond "Vinho Verde." I will send an e-mail to the regional body via the link you have provided and see what they have to say and will amend my post or possibly create a new one to address this issue and give a tip of the hat to you.
Cheers,
Jameson
Linda,
I have clarified the post by noted the specific wine from this region I was referring to as well as added some additional information about the diversity of wines being produced in Vinho Verde. Thank you again for your comment.
Jameson
