2016 Quinta das Arcas Vinho Verde Arca Nova

WineAlign

• By Sara d'Amato
  7/4/2018, (See more on WineAlign...)

  (Arca Nova Vinho Verde, Doc white) Login and sign up and see review text.

• By Michael Godel
  7/4/2018, (See more on WineAlign...)

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• By John Szabo, MS
  6/28/2018, (See more on WineAlign...)

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• By David Lawrason
  6/5/2017, (See more on WineAlign...)

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Full Pull

• By Paul Zitarelli
  Full Pull Middle of Summer, 7/24/2017

  (Arca Na Vinho Verde) Hello friends. Seattle is on the tail end of a 30+ streak of sunny days. After the coldest, wettest winter in three decades, this feels like a mighty accomplishment—an accomplishment that can only be celebrated by wines meant to be enjoyed in the warm weather. Today, we’ve got a mixed bag of whites and a rosé for you, all perfectly suited for toasting the sunshine while it’s still here. Vinho Verde has become a household name for much of the United States because of it’s quaffable low-ABV, screaming high acidity, and touch of effervescence—but Vinho Verde is more than just a wine, it’s a region as well. In fact, it’s the largest DOC in Portugal, spanning the coastal northwest tip of the country, with a history over 2,000 years old. Known for being cold and rainy much of the year, Vinho Verde’s nearly 20,000 small producers have built an intricate system of growing that’s unlike most places in the world. Their vines are trained for decades to grow around the edges of vineyards, high off the ground, and up everything from pergolas to telephone poles in order to stay dry—and make way for other vegetables to grow. Many of the small, old farms and producers live off the produce grown underneath their sprawling grape vines. When it comes to Vinho Verde, there is nothing more quintessential than Arca Nova. Farmed and made by Quinta da Arcas, a small family-owned estate, these vine clusters are trellised and grow six feet above ground. Vinho Verde literally translates to “green wine”—and Arca Nova’s offering lives up to the name. (The bottle itself is fitting alone.) Made from native Portuguese grapes (50% Loureiro, 40% Arinto 40%, 10% Treixadura), and clocking in at 10.5% alcohol, the glass opens with freshly bloomed lilies, tart and tangy green apple, pear, and lemon-lime citrus. On the palate, it’s crisp and dry with wild acidity. There is a touch of creaminess on the midpalate that gives way to citrus, apple, and pear fruit. The finish lingers with effervescence. This is a wine to drink right now, and enjoy with all sorts of summer fare. All of Portugal’s wine is made with the food of the region in mind—and Vinho Verde is all about seafood. Pair this with traditional Portuguese salt cod, whole grilled branzino, chouriço and clams, or simply bread and herbaceous goat cheese.