If you like wines that deliver exceptional value, as I do, then Portuguese wines are a great place to look. And in the summer months, Vinho Verde is one of my favorite white wines. It tastes great, it’s refreshing and often it’s quite a bargain. OK, and truth be told it doesn’t have to be summer for me to enjoy a Vinho Verde. I love it anytime.
Of course saying “I love Vinho Verde” is a pretty broad statement, as Vinho Verde has a number of different personalities. There are red, white and rosé wines from Vinho Verde and over 30 different types of grapes that can be used in the wines.
One of the grape varieties that can be used in white Vinho Verde is Loureiro and this one from Quinta da Arcas is made exclusively from this one grape variety. And that gives me another reason to want to taste this wine, so that I can better understand a specific grape.
Loureiro is known for it’s aromatic characteristics such as laurel (better known as bay leaves) and acacia (an aroma descriptor I’ve never used for anything before). This wine certainly shows that earthy, bay leaf-like quality on the nose. But it also shows plenty of fruit, such as lemon and pear notes. The palate is lemon and mineral, with good acidity. There is a slight frizzante quality to the wine too. It finishes with very long citrus flavors and a touch of saltiness.
So this is one personality of Vinho Verde you can check out. You may love it. But if not, don’t rule out the whole category.
Wine: Arca Nova Loureiro Vinho Verde
Variety: Loureiro
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 11.5%
Rating: 86
Price: $10.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.
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