FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde

Aug 1, 2012
2012 / August 2012

They’re not the most famous wines. Their grapes are unfamiliar. And their name is slightly misleading. But if they are not yet familiar to you, August is the perfect time to discover Vinho Verde. A product of northern Portugal, they are the quintessential summer wines — delicate, light, refreshing, low in alcohol and lightly pétillant when you pour them, a wine to enjoy in its youth. As for its name, Vinho Verde translates to “green wine,” but here green means young, not aged, and the wine’s color tends toward the palest yellow, not green.

While there are white, rosé and red varieties of Vinho Verde, it’s the whites I recommend here. There are more than a dozen indigenous grape varieties that can be made into white Vinho Verde, but those most often used are Loureiro, Trajadura and Alvarinho. The latter is a relative of Spain’s Albariño, which grows just across the Minho River, the border between the two countries.

José Maria da Fonseca’s Twin Vines 2010 ($9) is a good introduction to Vinho Verde. Named after his twin daughters, this blend of the three major grapes is paleshaded, fresh, crisp and brimming with tropical fruit flavors.

The 100 percent Loureiro of Quinta das Arcas ($10) is almost as pale as water. Beyond that, it shows an exuberant pétillance when poured and a lovely, fruity youthfulness.

The Vinho Verde of Broadbent Selections ($10) is also almost water-light in color, but don’t mistake that for a pale taste. It is a surprisingly forward Vinho Verde with a citric snap and a relatively long finish.

Only Vinho Verde from the two northern regions bordering the Minho River can put Alvarinho on their labels. Quinta da Lixa 2011 ($14) is one of them. Made 100 percent of the grape, this wine shows more depth, subtler fruit in the nose and a longer aftertaste than most Vinho Verdes.

The Artisan Collection offers three Vinho Verdes under the Las Lilas label. There is a 100 percent Alvarinho, a 100 percent Loureiro and one that blends 50 percent of each of these grapes. The two 100 percent wines, especially, are brimming with fresh fruit flavors — tasty wines indeed. Prices run from $10–12.

Enjoy Vinho Verde with salads, seafood, appetizers and by itself — the perfect August aperitif.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Mar 31, 2023

JW Marriott Debuts in Spain with JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

JW Marriott makes its way into Spain with the unveiling of JW Marriott Hotel Madrid. The hotel lies within the Canalejas zone, merely steps away from theaters and prestigious art institutions, as well as other popular landmarks and attractions.

Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler

Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler

Daily
Mar 31, 2023

Wynn Las Vegas Debuts Luxury Wine Weekend with Opus One Winery

Wynn Las Vegas and Opus One Winery partner for the ultimate weekend wine escape April 28–30, bringing the Opus One experience outside the Napa Valley estate for the first time. Participants enjoy in-depth master classes, intimate tasting room experiences, food and wine parings from Wynn chefs, and an Opus One Under the Stars outdoor feast.

Daily
Mar 31, 2023

Italian Mansion, Winery Locanda La Raia Available for Private Stays

Looking for luxury in Italy’s Southern Piedmont Region? In the wine hills of Gavi, north and west of Genoa, Locanda La Raia offers 10 splendid guestrooms and two apartments on a 180- hectare estate. Once a countryside inn and post station serving travelers journeying through the area on horseback, the space has been meticulously restored by the Rossi Cairo family to showcase original features such as vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork. Each guestroom has been individually decorated and now features enormous windows overlooking the surrounding landscape of lush gardens, rolling meadows and organic vineyards.

Portuguese Pleasures

Europe is more fun with a Portugal Stopover.

Daily
Mar 30, 2023

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach’s Wellness Experiences

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers travelers a new immersive wellness experience: Healing in Hawai’i.

eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023

Puerto Rico’s Hotel El Convento Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Renovation

Hotel El Convento, one of Old San Juan’s most popular landmark hotels, recently completed a multimillion-dollar design and architectural renovation to its 81 rooms. The renovation blends Old World charm with Puerto Rico’s vibrant and modern energy.

Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win

Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!

eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023

Etihad Airways Teams Up with Emirati Chef for In-Flight Ramadan Menu

Etihad Airways prepares a specially curated in-flight menu through the holy month of Ramadan. The menu comes thanks to the airline’s collaboration with Emirati Chef Khaled Alsaadi, in which Alsaadi recreates popular Ramadan dishes blending Emirati recipes with contemporary techniques and local ingredients.