Vinho Verde - Porto

This is Portugal’s largest wine region, extending from Vale de Cambra south of the river Douro to the river Minho, which forms a frontier with Spain over 130 km to the north. It divides into six subregions, distinguished by climatic differences and by the grape varieties grown there. The region’s best known product is the Vinho Verde wine – a light, acidic and often slightly sparkling wine, whose name means ‘green wine’ – a reference to its youth.

Types of Wine/Grapes

Dominant grape varieties are Loureiro,Trajadura and Pederna around the south, Avesso further inland towards the river Douro, and the Alvarinho grape around Moncao on the Spanish border. However, around half of all Vinho Verde produced is not the widely exported white wine, but a fizzy, dry red made from grapes such as Azal, Vinhão and Espadeiro. Little of this wine leaves Portugal.

Climate/Geography

Northern Portugal is largely mountainous and rocky, composed largely of schist, granite and slate. Rainfall and westerly winds from the Atlantic support intensive cultivation, and the area north of Porto is one of the most densely populated parts of rural Iberia. Vines have traditionally been grown on arbours high above the ground leaving space for other crops beneath.

More Information

The Wine Route has an office and a Reservation Centre at Porto. The office staff speaks Portuguese, English and French and are available to accompany groups through the Region.

Contact:
Isabel Andrade
Rua da Restauração, 318
4002-805 Porto
Portugal

Tel: 351 226077302
Fax: 351 226077320
Email: rota@mail.cvrvv.pt

For more information about the Vinho Verde Wine Route, visit:
www.vinhoverde.pt