As we continue to grow and expand our offerings and content, we will be implementing a variety of weekly columns and features. Beginning today, and continuing each Tuesday, we will feature a “Wine and Food Pairing.†Each week we will isolate a specific meal, entrée, side dish or basic ingredient and discuss some of the wines that pair with them and why. The pairings will include wines made from both well known and lesser known grape varietals.
Wine and Food Pairing: Raspberries and Vinho Verde Rosé
This week, I spent some time picking red raspberries from one of our local farms. The berries are just starting to ripen and while I was able to pick a nice batch of sweet, red gems, the best are yet to come. As I was in the field plucking the berries from the vines my mind began to wander, and I began to think about what I might make with the raspberries. As is the case when I think about food my thoughts naturally tend to drift to what wines to pair with the meals I will make. In this case I like fruity Rosé wines with a semi-soft, and slightly citrus finish that complements the acidity in the raspberries. While there are many Rosés I could pair with the raspberries, I thought I’d offer a choice that many of you may have heard of before, but not necessarily in its Rosé incarnation – Vinho Verde Rosé.
First a little bit background about Vinho Verde (vee-no ver-dh) wines and their origin. The Vinho Verde region of Portugal, known as the Minho (min-nyew) region, after the river that forms the border with Spain, is Portugal’s largest wine region. Producing both red and white wines, this northwest corner of Portugal is typically known for producing light, refreshing, and budget friendly white wines. The name Vinho Verde translates as “Green Wine†and does not refer to the color but rather the tradition of drinking the wines while they are young (most are generally drunk within a year of bottling). Typical Vinho Verde wines are light, golden colored wines ranging from 9 to 11% alcohol.
This week’s selection however is the aforementioned Rosé made from the Espadeiro grape.
Wine:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Arca Nova Rose 2008
Winery: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Quinta das Arcas
Vintage: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2008
Varietal: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Espadeiro
Country: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Portugal
Region: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Vinho Verde
Retail Price: Â Â Â Â Â Â $ 6.99 USD
Style:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Refreshing, easy drinking and low in alcohol
This great wine is bright pink, with fresh aromas, typical of the ancient grape variety used for this wine. It has good structure and a good balance between the alcohol and acidity, with a hint of the traditional “agulha†or sparkling effect representative of classical Vinho Verdes. Red fruits and berries characterize the finish.
