Welcome to our fifth post in our series on the wines of Portugal. If you want to start at the beginning, head over to Dão, and then click through to the right. Heading all the way back up north, we’ll cover the crisp, refreshing Vinho Verde’s of Minho!
Minho
Where as most of Portugal is growing amazing reds, the Minho is producing killer white wines. The Minho is best known for a wine called Vinho Verde, literally translated, “green wine”. This refers to the ages, as most Vinho Verdes are young, bright, slightly spritzy whites that pair well with the local fish dishes. Over the past few years, the wine quality has been increasing dramatically, producing wines to rival their neighbor to the north, Rías Baixas (who makes killer albariño). Perhaps this is less surprising when one considers that the best varietals for Vinho Verde are the same as used in Rías Baixas, Alvarinho, Trajadura, and Loureiro (in Spain known as Albariño, Treixadura, and Loureira respectively).
Fun fact, not all Vinho Verdes are white. Although they are not exported frequently, local producers create a red version that goes surprisingly well with rustic Portuguese dishes.
Quick Summary on Minho
- Known for: Bright, young, low-alcohol slightly spritzy whites
- Best Wine Style: Dry White
- Best Varietals: Alvarinho (Albariño), Trajadura (Treixadura), Loureiro (Loureira)
- Notable Producers: Quinta das Arcas, Anselmo Mendes
JM Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde
To say José Maria da Fonseca is an old winery is a bit of an understatement. Founded in 1834, JM Fonseca has existed and thrived for almost 200 years. Responsible for brands such as Periquita, Domini, Lancer’s and Mateus (both of which were popular in post WWII American culture) the firm produces some amazing and culturally relevant wines. With such an established history, and track record of success, how does JM Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde do?
[This bottle was graciously provided as a sample! Thank you so much to the winery, their importer, and the PR team]
Sight: A pale straw color with hints of green and a watery edge. Teeny – tiny little bubbles are barely visible.
Smell: A more restrained nose, but one that contains plenty of honeydew melon, honeysuckle, and green papaya. The nose is green, with touches of lime.
Sip: The body is a little sweeter than I’d have expected, but is tempered with a light, lively body. Pin pricks of bubbles occasionally add a hint of texture as lemon, lime, starfruit, and hints of melon and banana notes all work harmoniously together.
Savor: The ending hints at lime pith and lemon zest, and ends quickly on a refreshing note.
JM Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde an easy going, summer smash that’s a perfect way to pass a warm day. The subtle hint of sugar keeps the wine from being brutish, but not so sweet that it interferes with the flavor. With a nice balance of acidity, it offers a good pairing opportunity with lighter fare, like salads, Thai, or white fish. JM Fonseca Twin Vines Vinho Verde is a great, simple choice to just enjoy.
Verdict: Lime, Lemon, Honeysuckle, Melon, Refreshing
Rating: 83
Price: $8 [This bottle was received as a sample]
Minho, Portugal