Broadbent Vinho Verde

Broadbent's Vinho Verde is a light white blend from the Vinho Verde region of northern Portugal, and at 9% ABV it sits well below most table wines. That low alcohol shapes the whole style. Expect a delicate, featherweight body with high, bracing acidity, and a faint spritz that shows as fine bubbles on the tongue and along the rim of the glass. Wines from this region usually show lemon and lime peel, green apple, and white grapefruit. Many also carry a touch of white blossom or a light mineral note. Oak is not part of this style. The finish is typically short, clean and dry to off-dry, and it leaves the palate refreshed rather than coated. Serve it properly cold, around 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F), which keeps the acidity crisp and the spritz lively. A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket, is enough. Do not decant it, since that would flatten the gentle fizz. Open it and pour. A standard white wine glass or a small tulip-shaped glass works well. Fill it only a third to halfway so the citrus aromas collect above the wine. The high acidity and low alcohol make this an easy match for salty, fried or lightly spiced food. It suits grilled sardines, shrimp, calamari, fish tacos, ceviche, oysters and sushi. It also cuts through fried chicken and the richness of fresh goat cheese. Salads with vinaigrette, summer vegetables, and Thai or Vietnamese dishes with lime and herbs are good partners too. Because the wine is light, avoid heavy cream sauces or red-meat dishes, which would overwhelm it. On its own it also works as a low-alcohol aperitif before a meal. This is a bottle to drink now. Wines in this style are built for freshness, and they are usually at their best within a year or two of release, before the fruit and fizz begin to fade. Don't cellar it. Buy it to open soon, and keep it in a cool place until you chill it.