So you are looking at the front label of this Portuguese wine, and realize that you have no idea what most of it means…you are not the only one! Do not despair – let us help you decipher it!

Here are some common Portuguese terms you will find on Portuguese table wine labels, their definitions and pronunciations (the accent is in bold).

Contact us if the perplexing term on your label is not listed here, and we’ll gladly add it!

Colheita Seleccionada
Translation: Selected harvest.
Pronounciation: Col-ye-ta  Se-le-xio-na-da.
Definition: Means that the wine is certified as originating from one of Portugal’s controlled regions or appellations, and its alcohol content is at least 1 percent higher than the legal minimum required for wines from that region/appellation and year of harvest.

Escolha
Translation: Choice harvest.
Pronounciation: Esh-col-ya.
Definition: Means that the wine is certified as originating from one of Portugal’s controlled regions or appellations and is sold in a glass bottle. It also indicates the wine has some distinguishing characteristics of palate and aroma, but it is rather ambiguous when it comes to pinpointing . When the year of harvest is specified, the wine can be designated as Grande Escolha.

Garrafeira
Translation: Wine shop.
Pronounciation: Ga-ra-fey-ra.
Definition: A wine originating from one of Portugal’s controlled regions or appellations, that is aged a minimum amount of time. For red wines the  minimum ageing is 30 months, in which at least 12 months are in glass bottle, and, for white and rosé, with a minimum ageing of 12 months, in which at least 6 months are in glass bottle.

Reserva
Translation: Reserve wine.
Pronounciation: Ri-zer-va.
Definition: Means that the wine is certified as originating from one of Portugal’s controlled regions or appellations, and its alcohol content is at least 0.5 percent higher than the legal minimum required for wines from that region/appellation and year of harvest

Vinho Branco
Translation: White wine.
Pronounciation: Vin-yo  Bran-cu

Vinho da Mesa
Translation: Table wine.
Pronounciation: Vin-yo da Mey-sa

Vinho Tinto
Translation: Red wine.
Pronounciation: Vin-yo  Tin-to.

Aveleda sponsors Clean Feed NYC Jazz Festival

Smooth jazz AND award-winning Vinho Verde wine – the perfect combination!

Aveleda, one of the top Vinho Verde producers in Portugal, is sponsoring the Clean Feed Festival in Manhattan.

Attend this wonderful event and get an authentic taste of Portugal: guests will have the opportunity of sipping Aveleda’s 90-point Wine & Spirits vinho verde, the Quinta da Aveleda 2008, to the cool sounds of live jazz.

Aveleda CEO António Guedes (who is also the fourth-generation descendant of Avelda’s founder) says it is important to support such a wonderful cultural and musical event as Clean Feed. “Fine music and fine wine go hand in hand!”

> More info on the festival…

> More info about the wine…

The Portuguese Vinho Verde, literally translated into Green wine, is not actually green! Actually it can be red, white or rosé (being a horse and partially color-blind, I have to take the experts’ word.)

Casal Garcia is one of the best-selling Vinho Verdes in the world

The name refers to the fact that it’s consumed when the wine is young, usually within 1 year. Vinho Verdes are typically light and fresh and usually feature fruity and floral aromas as well as a lemon or straw color. With low alcohol content of 9% to 11% and natural acidity, Vinho Verde also features slight carbonation that’s enough to tickle your throat but not enough to be considered a sparkling wine.

Vinho Verdes should be served well-chilled, around 50ºF, and are typically paired well with light salads, shrimp, scallops, clams, and light fish.

Okay, so how do you pronounce this grape’s name? In Portuguese, the “ho” is pronounced “yo”, so repeat after me…  Al-va-rin-yo… Giddyup!

A distant cousin of the Riesling grape, Alvarinho  is one of the main grapes used in the making of the world-famous Vinho Verde and is grown mainly in the Minho region in northern Portugal. It is also known as Albarino in the Spanish province of Galicia north of Portugal. What to expect from Alvarinho wines? Typically light, crisp, not too sweet, often with hints of lemon or citrus.

Check out this Wine & Spirits 92 Point Vinho Verde with Alvarinho, by Aveleda.