Green Wine

Discover the fresh and vibrant world of Green Wines (Vinhos Verdes), one of Portugal’s most iconic and unique wine styles. Despite the name, Green Wine doesn’t refer to the color of the wine, but rather to its youthfulness and the lush, green region where it’s produced: the Vinho Verde DOC in the northwest of Portugal. This region stretches from the Douro Valley to the Minho River, right on the border with Spain, and offers the perfect cool, rainy climate to grow grapes that yield crisp, lively wines.

What Is Green Wine?

Green Wine is a style, not a grape, and it comes in both white and red versions:

• White Green Wine: By far the most popular, these wines are zesty, aromatic, and refreshing, often with a light fizz. Expect notes of citrus, green apple, lime zest, and fresh herbs.

  • Key white grapes: Alvarinho (Albariño), Loureiro, Arinto, Avesso, Trajadura, Azal.

• Red Green Wine (Vinho Verde Tinto): Deeply traditional and more rustic, these wines are bold and earthy, with dark berry flavors, vibrant acidity, and a slight sparkle. Served lightly chilled, they are perfect with hearty Portuguese fare.

  • Key red grapes: Vinhão, Espadeiro, Borraçal.

Top Green Wine Producers

At Merkaditz, we’ve curated a premium range of Green Wines from some of the most respected and innovative producers in the Vinho Verde region:

• Anselmo Mendes – Known as the "master of Alvarinho", combining tradition with elegance in every bottle.

• Quinta do Regueiro – Boutique, terroir-driven wines with intense minerality and character.

• Soalheiro – Pioneers in Alvarinho, producing expressive, world-class white Green Wines.

• Encostas de Melgaço – Celebrated for their balanced and aromatic Alvarinho blends. These wines are much more gastronomic.

• Quinta de Monforte – A rising star with beautifully crafted wines that respect local varietals.

• Vale dos Ares

Why Choose Green Wines?

Green Wines are perfect for seafood, light meals, picnics, or just easy, refreshing sipping. They deliver great value, a distinct Portuguese identity, and a taste of one of Europe’s most exciting wine regions.

A New Era of Green Wine: Lower Acidity, More Gastronomic

In recent years, Green Wine has undergone a quiet transformation. Winemakers are focusing on producing more balanced, elegant wines that pair beautifully with a wider range of dishes. While freshness remains a hallmark, there’s now greater control over acidity, resulting in wines that are rounder, fuller, and more gastronomic. Styles made from grapes like Alvarinho and Avesso are leading this shift, offering structured, age-worthy wines that hold their own alongside fine seafood, Asian cuisine, or creamy cheeses. This new generation of Vinho Verde is putting the region on the global culinary map.