Vinho Verde de Ponte da Barca

From Ponte da Barca, a small town in the Lima valley in the far north of Portugal, where the vineyards climb the hillsides on either side of the river. This is Loureiro country and it shows: pale gold with a green glint, aromatic with white flowers, citrus and green apple, and with that light natural spritz on the tongue that Vinho Verde is known for. Low in alcohol, fresh, and made to be drunk young and very cold, which is how we keep it. Good with the grilled sardines, the mussels or the bolinhos de bacalhau.

Serving: 750 ml bottle served well chilled, straight from the ice; also available by the glass (150 ml).

Details: Vinho Verde DOC from Ponte da Barca, Lima sub-region, Minho, Portugal; predominantly Loureiro with Arinto and Trajadura; light-bodied, aromatic and crisp with a gentle natural spritz; approximately 11.5% vol.

Nutrition (approx., per 150 ml glass): 105 kcal · 0 g protein · 3 g carbohydrates (1 g sugars) · 0 g fat · 0 g fibre · trace salt.

Dietary: vegan and gluten-free. One of the lightest wines on the list, best drunk young, cold, and with something from the grill.