So far with our exploration into Portuguese wines we've encountered three different varieties in the Vinho Verdes we've tasted. And a range of spritzig from "way too much" to the much preferred subtlety of this one.
This is the first time we've encountered Loureiro and this is a very classy offering for the price. Highly recommended crisp dry white with just a touch of spritz
QUINTA DA AVELEDA 2017 VINHO VERDE
GRAPE VARIETIES: Loureiro amd Alvarinho
REGION: Vinho Verde, Portugal
A/V: 11.5%
PRICE: 3.34 euro
FROM: Intermarche, Portugal
RATING: 4.5/5 from me
Here are two perfectly pleasant little quaffers that are starting to taste the same. Too many bubbles and not enough individual character.
Torre de Menagaem 2017 Alvarinho/ Trajadura 2.79 euro
Aveleda 2017 2.99 euro
Both from Continenete Both 3/5 rating.
Under the same label you can buy an infinitely more impressive wine for just 1 euro more. See the previous post.
SELECCAO de ENOFILAS 2016 VINHO VERDE
GRAPE VARIETIES: Alvarinho and Trajadura
REGION: Vinho Verde, Portugal
A/V: 11.5%
PRICE: 2.99 euro
FROM: Intermarche, Portugal
RATING: 3/5 from me
As a style Vinho Verde is all over the place. Which means if you tasted some of the shockers we have as your first experience, you'd never try the stuff again.
On the other hand, if you were lucky enough to grab this, you may just have found your all time favourite white. This is all about sheer dazzling drinkability. It's a crisp dry white in perfect balance. Just grab a bottle because I reckon this defines the style at a ridiculously affordable price.
SELECCAO de ENOFILAS 2016 VINHO VERDE
GRAPE VARIETIES: Albarino
REGION: Vinho Verde, Portugal
A/V: 12.5%
PRICE: 3.99 euro
FROM: Intermarche, Portugal
RATING: 5/5 from me
This is a perfect dry white to branch out and try something new. It's a lovely example of the variety without being earth shattering.
A/V: 13%
PRICE: 5.99 euro
FROM: Aldi, Spain
RATING: 4/5 from me
I love Uruguayan red wines and believe that they provide some of the best value in the world. So it was with some anticipation I twisted the screwcap off the first Uruguayan white I can recall coming across. It's a beauty, full of a heady mix of fascinating fruit flavours and lovely texture. For me this defines this grape variety so do yourself a favour and grab a bottle. It might just be the most exciting dry white you've tasted in a long time.
5/5 rating from me
£7
from Sainsbury's
For me one of the treats of travelling is wandering around local supermarkets. Forget the centre aisles where all the processed rubbish is. I'm talking about the fresh food. The vegies, the meat, the seafood and of course the booze. Plus it's always fun deciphering the deals.
We found an outstanding one in Horta about halfway between the port and the hospital where we picked up this beauty. We wanted 2016 and we wanted something we'd never tasted before. This is a dazzling dry white at the quality end of vinho verde.
TORRE DE MENAGEM 2016 TRAJADURA/ ALVARINHO
5/5 rating from me 6.5 euro
The first Albarino I ever tasted was a weird and wonderful 2013 effort from Stanrock in New Zealand. It polarised opinion. 90% hated it, 10% thought it was the best white they'd ever tasted. That didn't surprise me and I like wines that get that type of response - although 50/50 would be better.
This is nothing like that which is probably a good thing for the makers and distributors. It's just not so exciting.
Albarino [aka Alvarinho in Portugal] is a white wine variety popular in the north western corner of the Iberian peninsula. This is a pretty mainstream effort that will appeal to most dry white drinkers.
12.5% a/v
3.5/5 rating from me
£7 from Sainsbury's
This is a perfect dry white to branch out and try something new. It's a lovely example of the variety without being earth shattering. 
I love Uruguayan red wines and believe that they provide some of the best value in the world. So it was with some anticipation I twisted the screwcap off the first Uruguayan white I can recall coming across. It's a beauty, full of a heady mix of fascinating fruit flavours and lovely texture. For me this defines this grape variety so do yourself a favour and grab a bottle. It might just be the most exciting dry white you've tasted in a long time.
For me one of the treats of travelling is wandering around local supermarkets. Forget the centre aisles where all the processed rubbish is. I'm talking about the fresh food. The vegies, the meat, the seafood and of course the booze. Plus it's always fun deciphering the deals.
Albarino [aka Alvarinho in Portugal] is a white wine variety popular in the north western corner of the Iberian peninsula. This is a pretty mainstream effort that will appeal to most dry white drinkers.
