90+ Cellars Lot 205 Vinho Verde

Lot 205 Vinho Verde is a 10% ABV white from 90+ Cellars, made in the Vinho Verde style, which is traditionally associated with northern Portugal and built around grapes such as Alvarinho, Loureiro, Arinto and Azal. At that alcohol level, expect a lean, light-bodied wine with no oak influence and very little weight on the palate. Styles like this usually lead with citrus, green apple and pear, often with a floral lift and a faint saline or stony edge. Acidity does most of the work, and tannin is essentially absent. Many wines in this category carry a slight spritz, a gentle prickle rather than true sparkle, so a little fizz on the tongue is normal and not a flaw. This is a wine for chilling hard. Serve it around 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F), which keeps the acidity crisp and the faint fizz lively. Colder than that mutes the fruit, and warmer makes the wine feel flabby. No decanting is needed, and pouring straight from the bottle preserves the freshness. A standard white wine glass or a small tulip works well, filled only part way so the aromatics gather and the wine stays cold between pours. The high acidity and low alcohol make it a natural match for raw oysters, clams, ceviche, grilled sardines and other simple seafood with lemon. It also handles salty and fried foods, such as fish tacos, tempura and chips, because the acidity cuts through oil. Fresh goat cheese, green salads with a sharp vinaigrette and mildly spiced Thai or Vietnamese dishes are good matches too. Rich cream sauces and heavy red meats will overwhelm it. Drink it young. Wines in this style are made for freshness, and the bright citrus and floral character fade with time in the bottle, so this one is best opened within a year or two of purchase and served as an aperitif or with a light summer meal.