Vinho verde 2021: Shortages abound, especially for the least expensive wines, but quality remains high
Two important things to note for the blog’s annual vinho verde post: First, the wines are in short supply in many parts of the country, and especially in Dallas. This, no doubt, is just one more example of pandemic-related supply chain problems.
Second, quality remains high, an impressive achievement given everything going on in wine that works against that these days. I didn’t really taste a poorly made wine this year; that’s the opposite of what happened when I started writing about vinho verde in 2009.
So what do you need to know about vinho verde? It’s a Portuguese white wine (sometimes rose) with a greenish tint that usually doesn’t cost more than $8 (the blog’s vinho verde primer is here). It has a slightly sweet lemon lime flavor, low alcohol, and a little fizz — all of which makes it ideal for hot weather. Most of the cheapest wines, like Santola, Famega, Casal Garcia, and Gazela (and that often have a crab on the label), are made by the same couple of companies but sold under different names to different retailers.
Check out these vinho verde 2021 suggestions:
• Broadbent Vinho Verde NV ($9, purchased, 9%): I’ve been drinking this three or four times a month over the past year, and why not? It’s cheap, well made, and refreshing. Still the vinho that sets the standard — a little sweeter in this version, and more subdued green apple fruit. Imported by Broadbent Selections
• Quinta da Lixa Pouco Comun 2018 ($15, purchased, 13%): This is an example of how much vinho has changed. It’s made with alvarinho, the Portuguese version of Spain’s albarino, instead of the typical blend. In this, it’s less savory than a quality Spanish albarino, but with more soft lemon fruit. Highly recommended. Imported by Grape2Glass
• Vera Vinho Verde 2019 ($10, purchased, 12.5%): This vintage vinho verde has a little more polish and a more refined sweetness than most (sort of lime fruit). It’s a step up from most riesling at that price. Imported by Ole & Obrigado
• Gazela Vinho Verde NV ($8, purchased, 9%): Solid, typical vinho — fizzy lime with a bit of sweetness. If all ordinary vinho was made this well, the wine world would be cheaper and more enjoyable. Imported by Evaton
• Santola Vinho Verde NV ($7, purchased, 9%): The quintessential crab label vinho verde — a bit sweet, lots of sour fruit, and some beer fizz. Make sure it’s chilled, and you’ll drink it until the bottle is gone and and then open another one. Imported by Direct Wine Imports
• Faisao Vinho Verde NV ($7/1-liter bottle, purchased, 10%): No, this isn’t as well done as the rose. But it remains quality wine, and especially for the price and in a liter bottle — sour lime fruit, fizzy, with just enough sweetness. Keep well chilled. Imported by Winesellers Ltd.
For more about vinho verde:
• Vinho verde review 2020
• Vinho verde review 2019
• Vinho verde review 2018
• Winecast 45: DCanter’s Michael Warner and wine retail trends during the durationVinho verde review 2018
There is good news for the vinho verde review 2015, a welcome development after last year’s vinho verde oddness that included expensive vinho verde of surprisingly poor quality. Each of the four wines I tasted were well made and worth buying, and three of them surpassed expectations.