Wine: description and photo

Green wine (Portugal - the birthplace of the drink) is otherwise called Vinho Verde (Vinho Verde). This is a peculiar card of the country. And all because the green drink is made only in Portugal.

History of the drink

The exact date when green wine appeared in Portugal, no. About him, mentions begin in the 1st century. BC. E. The green drink was first written by the philosopher Seneca. According to numerous sources, the development of wine production was actively promoted by the Order of the Friars. In 1172, the first taxes appeared for the producers of a green drink. Such a decree was given by the Portuguese king Afonso Henriques.

In those days, the earth was densely populated, and people sought to grow potatoes and other vegetables. Grape vines curled around the perimeter of the plots, instead of fences. Moreover, grapes grew in the most unproductive areas. Often, the vine was planted next to the trees and eventually entwined his trunk. But even one grape branch yielded a good harvest. But the quality of the berries was poor.

Over time, wine emerged. Drinks were made from grapes. And this business was increasingly turning into a good source of income for the population. The first alcoholic beverage that was exported from Portugal to Germany and England was called green wine.

Where did the name come from?

Green wine is named after the name of one Portuguese region. It is located in the north-west of the country. There are two old provinces Douro Litoral and Minho. The slopes on which the grapes grow form a natural amphitheater. The region where green wine is made has clear boundaries and occupies 21 thousand hectares.

What color is green wine?

Wine, called "green", in reality does not have this color. The name of the drink means youth, in other words - a short period of aging. The color of the wine can be white, pink and red. Sometimes drinks have a straw or lemon tinge. The green color of the wine seems so because of the bluish glass of the bottles in which the drink is poured. It takes on different shades for two reasons:

• Different varieties of grapes;
• Way of vinification.

Red green wines are for an amateur. They have a dense purple color. Drinks are tart and somewhat harsh. And they should only drink from glasses that look like pialas. For a wide range of consumers, sparkling and rosy green wines are produced.

Wine production in modern times

In modern times, green wine is produced using high technology. During the cultivation of grapes, he tied himself to pegs in a special way. The berry does not spread along the ground, but hangs over it. Thanks to the coolness and shade in the grapes, the excess of sugar does not concentrate, and the sour tone prevails. In green, not yet ripe berries, there are no aromatic and coloring substances.

Over time, the color of the grapes varies. It increases the sugar content. And at some point the grapes are going. In this case, berries should be free from external defects. Therefore, grapes with damaged skin are not used for wine. Winery is located in dry places with low temperature and good air quality. And also away from any places that have at least the slightest unpleasant smell.

To taste the drink reminds champagne. Wine is produced as a sparkling drink. The gas in wine appears naturally, due to the apple-milk fermentation. But because of this, drinks often become cloudy. Therefore, even more often manufacturers add carbon dioxide.

But not all producers of green wines agree with this name. According to some, it is confusing buyers who think that the drink is made from unripe grapes. Therefore, some manufacturers come up with alternative names. For example: Vinho Regional do Minho.

But even more misleading, when the varietal wines from Alvarina are considered to be "green". First, the difference is great even in the taste of drinks. And if a real bottle of green wine costs only 2 to 4 euros, then its counterparts from Alvarinya are sometimes sold at a price of 18 to 20 conventional units.

The third difference: real green wines are drunk only in the first year of life. And drinks from Alvarinya are well kept for years. And with great endurance they get even additional walnut and honey hues, which are not present in real green wines.

How to drink green wine?

A real green wine with a fruity taste and well quenches thirst. The drink is perfectly combined with salads, seafood and white meat. Before serving, the wine should be cooled to 10 degrees. Green wines should be drunk young. They can not be stored for long, especially with the lid open.

Interesting Facts

In ancient times in Portugal there was a dish with the interesting name "Soup of a tired horse". This was often the basic food of ordinary people. A green wine was poured into the bowl, in which it simply dipped and then bread was eaten. From the drink is made vinegar, alcoholic drink Bagaseira and wine alcohol.