The Vinho Verde Region is Portugal's largest demarcated region, located in the northwest of the country, in the area known as Entre-Douro-e-Minho. The designation “Vinho Verde” refers to the region of origin and the young and fresh style of the wines, not to their color, which can be white, red, or rosé.
The region is located in northwestern Portugal and is characterized by lush green landscapes, which is associated with one of the theories for the region's name. The climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, being colder and more humid, which contributes to the acidity and freshness of the wines produced. The soil is predominantly granitic.
The Vinho Verde Demarcated Region is divided into 9 subregions: Amarante; Ave; Baião; Basto; Cávado; Lima; Monção and Melgaço; Paiva; Sousa. Vinho Verde wines are generally light, fresh, and have good acidity.
The Whites are the most famous. They can be citrus or straw-colored and have fruity or floral aromas. The grape variety Alvarinho, from Monção and Melgaço, is particularly prestigious, offering greater structure and complexity. Other important white grape varieties include Loureiro. The Rosé wines have a slightly pink color, freshness, and aromas reminiscent of red fruits. The Red wines, have an intense red color, may have pink or bright red foam, and aromas reminiscent of wild fruits. Finally, the Sparkling wines are also produced in this demarcated region and allow for designation of origin. The certification, control, and promotion of wines from this region are the responsibility of the Vinho Verde Region Viticulture Commission (CVRVV).
Vinhão is the most widely planted and emblematic red grape variety in the Vinho Verde region, and both Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez belong to the demarcated region, specifically the Lima sub-region.
Vinhão is known for its dark, opaque, and intense color, due to its reddish pulp and juice (it is a tinting grape), unlike most red grape varieties, whose juice is colorless. It produces red wines with marked acidity and strong flavors, often with notes of wild fruits. It is an authorized and recommended variety for the production of red Vinho Verde. In the Douro, this variety is known as Souzão and is used in the production of Port wine.
Both municipalities are located in the Lima subregion, one of the nine sub-regions that make up the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region. In this sub-region, two main grape varieties are favored: Loureiro (white) and Vinhão (red).
The Ponte de Lima Cooperative Winery is one of the leading producers in the Lima sub-region, producing wines from both grape varieties. The inclusion of these municipalities in the demarcated region allows them to produce wines with the Vinho Verde Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC).
Carvalha House is located very close to these two beautiful villages in Alto Minho, about 4 km from Arcos de Valdevez and 1 km from Ponte da Barca, and we believe it can be a beautiful and comfortable retreat after an intense day of sightseeing, contact with nature, the people, and the famous cuisine of the region...accompanied by excellent wines, including several award-winning ones, for example, in the prestigious Brussels world competition.
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