Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/33511
priced in relation to those from neighboring Galicia. All wine styles produced in the region (white, red, rosé and sparkling) are referred to as Vinho Verdes, or green wines, for their youthful character. Traditionally, the still wines show pétillance from the addition of CO2 V at bottling (or the remnants of malolactic fermentation in the reds), which gives them a lively spritz. The practice helps preserve aromas and youthful fruit flavors, but winemakers seem to be toning down the style and many of today’s wines have only the slightest tickle. Vinhos Norte NV Cruzeiro Branco Ave sub- region. Loureiro, Trajadura and Arinto blend with tropical fruit aromas, light, creamy fruit on mid-palate; slight pétillance. 9°. VALUE VINES Quinta da Raza 2010 Dom Diogo Alvarinho Basto sub-region. Mineral-driven honeydew and citrus aromas. Basto’s warmer climate adds weight to the mid-palate of citrus and apple. 13.5°. Quinta de Gomariz 2010 Branco Ave sub- region. Alvarinho and Tradjadura blend with delicate pear aromas, clean citrus-driven mid- palate and persistent lemon verbena finish. 11.5°. P. R. GRISLEY Adega de Monção NV Reserva Sparkling Monção sub-region. Perfumed nose of mango and almond; full-bodied with delicate stone fruit flavors and crisp finish. 13°. IDEAL PROVAM 2010 Portal do Fidalgo Alvarinho Monção sub-region. Soft aromas of apple blossom opening to bright, intense mineral and citrus flavors. 12.5°. ADMIRAL IMPORTS Quinta das Touquinheiras 2009 Alvarinho Monção sub-region. Fresh, lively with apple aromas and medium-bodied Meyer lemon, green apple and lychee flavors. 12.5°. IBERIAN (Connecticut) and MARQUIS (New York) Quinta da Lixa 2010 Trajadura Sousa sub- region. Mineral-driven aromas and flavors of green apple and pear, balanced and clean with flinty mineral finish. 11.5°. MONTEVIDEO IMPORTS Quinta das Arcas 2009 Arca Nova Loureiro Sousa sub- region. Green, tropi- cal fruit and orange blossom aromas that concentrate on the palate to complex stone fruit all lifted by plenty of CO2 . 11.5°. FRONTIER WINE IMPORTS Aveleda 2009 Quinta da Aveleda Sousa sub-region. 60% Loureiro, 30% Trajadura, 10% Alvarinho. Aromas of chalk and ripe citrus with complex, lean flavors of white stone fruit and mineral finish. 11°. HGC IMPORTS Casa de Vila 2010 Verde Vinho Verde Sousa sub-region. A blend of Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso, Loureiro and Azal showing stone fruit and citrus aromas with rich, clean peachy flavors and plenty of length. 11.5°. SIGNATURE IMPORTS Quinta de Azevedo 2010 Cávado sub-region. 70% Loureiro, 30% Arinto. Citrus and green fruit aromas with bright peach and green pineapple flavors and crisp finish. 10.5°. SOGRAPE Afros Wines 2009 Loureiro Monção sub- region. Biodynamic production. Ripe apple aromas, mineral-driven, tart green apple flavors and pretty, complex finish. 12°. WISE WISE/THE VIENNA WINE COMPANY For a more complete version of this story, visit www.tastingpanelmag.com. june 201 1 / the tasting panel / 37 inho Verde producers in Portugal’s Minho region realized a healthy 34 percent increase in exports to the U.S. last year according to the Comissão de Viticultura da Região dos Vinhos Verdes (CVRVV), and there are many reasons why the easy-drinking, lower-alco- hol wines they produce are striking a chord with consumers. Interest in Alvarinho (called Albariño across the border in Spain’s Rías Biaxas region) has drawn attention to the sub-region of Monção e Melgaço where it has DOC status, but many of the Minho’s nine sub-regions also produce regional Alvarinhos labeled by brand name and variety. These cooler-climate wines tend towards leaner, tropical and green citrus aromas and flavors that mirror the verdant terroir and are competitively