Wine

Porto and the North of Portugal: One Region, Two Wines  

The Vinho Verde Wine Region

The Vinho Verde Specified Region (VVSR), is one of the oldest in Portugal.

The present VVRS covers the whole of North-west Portugal, at an altitude less than 700 metres, in the region traditionally known as “Entre-Douro-e-Minho” (between the Douro and the Minho rivers), and occupies a total area of about 34,000 hectares of vineyards, corresponding to around 15% of the Portuguese wine-growing area. Its geographical boundaries are naturally defined:

- In the North, by the River Minho, which forms part of the frontier with Spain;

- In the South, the River Douro and the Freita, Arada and Montemuro hill ranges;

- In the East, the Peneda, Gerês, Cabreira and Marão ranges;

- In the West, the Atlantic Ocean.

The mountainous areas to the East and South form the natural separation between the atlantic Entre-Douro-e-Minho and the more characteristically Mediterranean regions further inland.

Issues of culture, microclimate, type of wine, grape variety proportions and method of training vines means the division of the Vinho Verde Specified Region into nine sub-regions:Amarante, Ave, Baião, Basto, Cávado,Lima,Monção, Paiva e Sousa.

CLIMATE AND ELEVATION

The regional climate is strongly influenced by the orographic characteristics and by the layout of the river network. The most striking aspect is the annual rainfall, which is marked by quite high annual totals (average 1200 mm) and by an irregular pattern during the year, concentrated in winter and spring. As for the temperature, it works in symmetry with the rainfall, with the highest temperatures occurring in periods of low rainfall and lower temperatures during periods of higher precipitation.

The average annual temperature and the maximum and minimum averages could not be considered excessive, and this provides a very amenable climate.

With regard to the elevation, the region has a quite irregular topography, being marked by a dense network of valleys associated with the river network, a feature that becomes stronger from the coast to the interior.

GEOLOGY AND SOILS

From a geological point of view, the soils are mostly of granite origin, and there are also two narrow bands of schist that cross from the Southeast to the Northwest, with their origin south of the river Douro, one in the Siluric Period, in which carboniferous and slate formations appear, the other of schist from the Archaic Period.

As a general rule, the soil is characterised by low depth and heterogeneity, which requires the choice of soils that have better viticultural suitability, such as soils of average depth with good internal drainage.

VINHO VERDE

Vinho Verde is unique worldwide, a mixture of aromas and flavours that turn into one of the most refreshing natural drinks! Light, aromatic and of average alcohol content, it is noted for its freshness and special qualities, and is very appetising, especially in the hot season.

Choosing from the vast range of wines available is an artform, from the traditional Vinho Verde made from a careful blend of selected grape varieties, to Vinho Verdes made from a single grape variety.

The flagrant originality of Vinho Verde result, on the one hand, from the characteristics of the soil, climate and socio-economic factors and, on the other, from the peculiarities of the regional grape varieties and methods of cultivating the vines.