Zippy, fresh and uncomplicated, Portugal's Vinho Verde is mostly inexpensive, sometimes petillant and in any event a summery wine to quaff young; the name translates as "green wine" and refers to youthfulness rather than colour.
These two examples, however, are a little more ambitious.
Adega de Monçao, Deu La Deu (£11.50, The Wine Society) pale sandy yellow, honeysuckle on the nose, citrussy and sweet-sour, reminiscent of a Mosel Riesling (and packaged like one, too). Elegant and long with a persistent finish.
Soalheiro Vinho Verde, 2013 (£14.95, The Wine Society and independents) 100% Alvarinho, complex, mineral and herbaceous nose; mouthwateringly lemony and sweet-sour with ripe, peachy stone fruit, length, complexity and a minerally finish.
Refreshing enough to drink alone, will also match with meaty fish, creamy pasta or white meat.
My only slight reservation - and it's common to with both wines actually - is a slight shortness of the acidity - I've tasted both previously and don't recall it, so this may simply be a bit of vintage variation.
Other related articles
Portugal's Vinho Verde
The Cambridge Tasting - Vinho Verde
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