First thing is first.  It is no secret that Vinho Verde's literal translation is "Green Wine".  What some don't know is that It is named after the wine's age though rather than the color.  Verde or "Green" describes it as a young wine.  Being true to the name, Vinho Verde is meant to be drank immediately rather than stashing in your cellar. In fact, the reason for the recent flux of Vinho Verde's in the market is thanks to the screw cap.  With a cork, they never made the trip over the Atlantic very successfully.  

Vinho Verde comes to us from Portugal.  It is a blanket name for a wine that can consist of many different grapes.  The most popular is Alvarinho.  You may better know it as Albarino in Spain.  Others grapes found in Vinho Verde are Arinto, Loureiro, Trajadura, Azal and Pedernã.  Overall, no matter the grapes used, they tend to share similar characteristics.  They are crisp and usually on the dry side.  They are not meant to be thought about and debated.  They are simplistic and thanks to the usually low alcohol content, they can be quite quenching on a hot day. 

Vinho Verde is getting very trendy as of late.  So much so that our favorite ice cream shop, Jeni's, in Columbus, Ohio has created a flavor using it.  It is a Wheatgrass, Pear and Vinho Verde Sorbet and it is delcious. Check it out here at Jeni's Ice Cream.

Gateway is a newer label in the United States.  The blend here is Arinto, Loureiro, Trajadura and Azal.  It is one of my favorite  Vinho Verde lines I have tried.  If I could describe it in one word, it would be bright.  It is a crisp white that goes down almost too easy.   It is extremely refreshing and shows a nice hint of citrus and pear.  It has a nice touch of acid on the end that gives it a nice bite.

Gateway Vinho Verde in a Nutshell:

Description:  Almost clear in color with a hint of green (Could be name playing tricks on me).  Bright white wine with hints of citrus and pear.  Lively finish thanks to razor sharp acidity.  Easy to drink.

Pairing: I enjoy it as an appetizer or along with our salad course of a meal.  Could also work well with a flakey baked cod or another white fish.
 
Vintage/Price: Always drink Vinho Verde that is within a year of production.  The Gateway is a 2011.  It is a bit expensive compared to others that have flooded the market but I believe it to be well worth it.  It should be in the $12 range.

For more information on the wine, please go to: Gateway Vinho Verde

There is a lot of buzz in the world today about the wines of Portugal.  Actually, there is a nice article in the new Wine Spectator about it.  Because of this, I decided to post about one of the more interesting wines I have tried from Portugal. 

First things first, the winery is Quinta Do Alqueve.  The varietal is Fernao Pires.  It is named after a Portugese Merchant with the same name.  He was responisble for commercial and diplomatic relations with China in the 1500's.  I am not clear on how he got a grape named after him.  On a side note, the grape can also be called Maria Gomes in other Portugese regions.  I am not aware of her historical significance.

Back to the wine...

The first thing you will notice is the color when you pour it.  It is a deep goldenrod.  It is quite a bit bolder in color than other white varietals.  The second thing is the nose.  It explodes with fruit and makes you want to dive in.  It is reminiscent of some Marsanne's to me.  The taste is wild.  My wife said that it reminded her of Squirt soda.  Citrus and Stone Fruit explode on the palate with every sip.  It is quite nice and easy to drink.  Pour someone a glass and don't tell them what it is.  The reaction you'll get is almost guarenteed to be a great one!

Quinta Do Alqueve Fernao Pires in a nutshell:

Description:  Huge fruit on the nose and on the palate.  Large amounts of Grapefruit and Stone Fruit with hints of Lemon and Tangerine.

Pairings: This is the perfect wine for a big pan of Paella.  It would also pair well with Shrimp and Veggie shish kabobs on the grill. 

Vintages/Price:  Current Vintage is 2010 and it is featuring a new label.  I drank the 2009.  The 2010 also contains a little Ariento for a touch of acidity.  It should be between $10 and $15 depending on the vintage.

For more information, please visit http://www.robertkacherselections.com/portfolio_detail.php?itemno=q010608