Vinho Verde 2023 (Toronto)

On June 20, we were invited to attend the Vinho Verde wine expo hosted at Second Floor Events. While the space is not the biggest we have seen, it has a nice layout that makes for a logical setting up of stands.

We started our tasting with the Chard at A&D Wines (not pictured), a wine with deep floral aroma and nice acidity.

We moved on to the Quinta de Santa Teresa, where we tasted the Monologo, a light, summery wine with low acidity.


At the well-known Aveleda we tried:

  • Fonte - a sweet, CO2-infused wine that goes well with grilled shrimp
  • Loureiro & Alvarinho - a full-bodied wine
  • Loureiro - a lighter wine

Then, it was time for us to stop and taste the wonderful assortment of curated meats and cheeses paired with olives, peppers and jams, that would enable us to replenish our energy for more tastings.


After the well-deserved break, we proceeded to the Adega Ponte de Lima stand where we sampled:
  • Rose - light, floral notes, balanced acidity
  • Vinho Verde / Loureiro - citrus fruit, deep taste
  • Adamado (not pictured)
  • Loureiro - light, summery wine (our favorite wine from the entire tasting)
  • Reserva - clean, crisp taste
  • Solos de Xisto - pronounced acidity 

We then reached Casal de Ventozela where we sampled:

  • Rose - dry, crisp taste
  • Branco - a Loureiro / Vinho Verde blend; a sweet wine with nice, metallic acidity
  • Loureiro - full-bodied
  • Aristo - nice acidity
  • Alvarinho - summery wine
  • Prime Selection - a blend of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Aristo

Moving on, we got to Barao Hospital where we tasted:
  • Loureiro - floral notes
  • Alvarinho - higher body, very floral
  • Alvarinho Reserva - deep, earthy taste

We then tried the Loureiro, the only wine Ameal brought; a citrusy, floral wine.


At the Guapos Wine Project stand we sampled:
  • Anthen - fresh, sweet and bubbly
  • 450 Aristo Ardina - full bodied, balanced
  • 400 Avesso - light, summery wine
  • 350 Castelo Negro - full bodied, mineral blend of Chard & Chablis !
  • 150 Alvarinho Avesso - a refreshing, Chard-style wine

At Quinta da Lixa we had the Escolha a fruity, semi-sweet, bubbly blend of Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura. 

The next stand was that of Quinta d'Amares where we tasted:
  • Loureiro - light, sweet, refreshing
  • Loureiro & Arinto Superior - higher minerality and body, compared to the Loureiro
  • Alvarinho - deep body
  • Pet Nat - unfiltered, on lees wine creating natural gas with no residual sugar

At Quita da Raza we had:
  • Gouveio - wine that goes well with salty foods like anchovies
  • Alvarinho / Trajadura
  • Special Family Collection (not pictured) - nice acidity and minerality

At Quita das Arcas (not pictured) we tried:
  • Reserva - full bodied
  • Rose - sweet with light acidity
We continued to Quinta do Homem where we sampled:
  • Arinho - light, balanced
  • Alvarinho - flavorful and rich
  • Loureiro - fermented with wild yeast
  • Rose - light and fruity, with floral notes

Arriving at Tres Rostos we sampled:
  • Barrete Branco - a light, floral blend of Alvarinho, Arinto and Loureiro
  • Barrete Rose - a fizzy wine with strong raspberry and strawberry notes
  • Azal - a wine with lots of citrus notes
  • Chardonnay ! - fermented in stainless steel; no oak
  • Nativo - fermented for 1 year in pre-used French oak

From Terras de Felgueiras we had a sweet, bubbly blend of Azal, Arinto, Alvarinho and Trajadura.


At the end of our tasting adventure we got to Via Latina where we tried 2 excellent wines:
  • Grande Reserva - full bodied, having spent 4 months in French oak
  • Sparking Wine - dry and fruity

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