Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde DOC is located in the north-west corner of Portugal, with the Atlantic on the west, and the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park to the east. Rainfall is high meaning that yields can be quite different year-on-year. The most widely grown grape variety is Loureiro. A light skinned, high acid, low alcohol producing grape, giving citrus, pear, floral and herbal aromas. It's one of the main components of Vinho Verde. The second most widely grown is Alvarinho (Albariño in Spain), the third most planted grape variety is Pedernã which tends to be more neutral than Loureiro or Alvarinho. Other grapes varieties include Avesso and Trajadura. In many Vinho Verde wines, the addition of carbon dioxide gives these wines freshness, spritz, and liveliness.

There is also a black variety in the region, called Vinhão which makes deep coloured wines with cherry fruit and high acidity