If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Located in the provinces of Monção and Melgaço, the Alvarinho grape stands out as one of the most sought after Vinho Verde varietal.

Grown in the northern region of the Vinho Verde, the Alvarinho grape is found in medium to full-bodied clusters, producing a wine with an 11 to 12 alcohol percentage, two to three percentage points higher than most other Vinho Verde sub-regions.

Its thick skin and low-yield has more body than most Vinho Verdes, producing an intense, fruity aroma, an “apply” taste, and little sparkle. A bottle of this wine can be expensive when considering the “rarity” and low production levels of the grape.

To taste the wine at its best, you will have to wait 18 months after the harvest. As one of the best of the “Green Wines,” the Alvarinho has spread in fame and should be considred a first choice among wines from the Vinho Verde region.

Check out Aveleda Alvarinho, which won 92 Points from Wine & Spirits.

[email_post]

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.