Vinho Verde, Without the Spritz

Vinho Verde produces some of Portugal's great everyday whites. The name translates as 'green wine,' in the sense that they're green and fresh — best enjoyed young while the fruit is still bright. It's a lighter style, lower in alcohol, which makes it a great lunchtime wine. The majority of wines here also have a little spritz too, provided by a squeeze of CO2 at bottling — but today I'd like to bring you another side of the region: a wine without the spritz, a little more refined but every bit as refreshing.

The bottle I've picked for June is from Bico Amarelo, part of the Esporão family. It's made from three local Portuguese grape varieties — Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso — each picked by hand rather than the more common approach of being mechanically harvested. The grapes are fermented at a cool 14–16°C, resulting in a wonderfully pure wine, expressive and true to the region.

Bico Amarelo Vinho Verde, Portugal, 2024

Dry in style, light in alcohol (11% ABV) — no sweetness, no fizz. Just crisp, citrusy freshness in the glass, with notes of lime, a touch of tropical fruit, and a lovely depth. A cracking wine to kick off a sunny afternoon, and one that would also work well with grilled white fish, prawns or a Greek salad. Portugal delivers again!

If you enjoy wines with a refreshing streak of acidity — Sauvignon Blanc, Picpoul or Muscadet — this is a great bottle to try next.