The young, slightly sparkling white wine of the Minho, made from loureiro, alvarinho and arinto grapes harvested between August and September.

Vinho Verde has been produced in the Minho region since at least the 12th century, when Cistercian monks from Braga's monasteries planted the first documented vineyards along the Lima and Cavado valleys. The Denominacao de Origem Controlada was established in 1908, making it one of Portugal's oldest protected wine regions. The wine is made from grapes grown on high pergola trellises that match the vines above the foggy valley floors, producing the green-fresh character the name describes. Braga sits at the heart of the Minho sub-region; Letraria Craft Beer Library Braga and Domus Vinum are the two best addresses for exploring the full range of local producers.

Where to eat Vinho Verde (Minho style) in Braga

3 editor picks for Vinho Verde (Minho style) in Braga, ranked by editorial score. All Braga signature dishes · Vinho Verde (Minho style) across every city.

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Make it at home

5 minEasy

Ingredients

  • A bottle of Minho-subregion Vinho Verde (loureiro or blend; not alvarinho, which is its own subregion)
  • Well-chilled glasses (the wine should be 8 to 10C)
  • Fresh anchovies or pataniscas de bacalhau alongside

Method

  1. Chill the bottle to 8C for at least 3 hours before serving.
  2. Pour into a tall, narrow wine glass that retains the petillance.
  3. The wine should be drunk young: within 2 years of harvest for maximum freshness.
  4. Pair with salty, acidic or fried food to balance the wine's natural tartness.
  5. The petillance (light carbonation) is natural and desirable; do not mistake it for a fault.

Editor tip. The best Minho Vinho Verde costs EUR 4 to 8 a bottle at source; anything over EUR 15 is probably alvarinho (a finer, single-variety sub-appellation from Monção

Common allergens: Sulphites.