Alvarinho

Portuguese salt cod (bacalhau) dishes feature a distinctive savory character with salinity that requires beverages with cleansing acidity or complementary profiles. The bright acidity in Portuguese white wines cuts through the richness while enhancing the flavors, while light, effervescent beers with citrus notes provide refreshing contrast to the salty, dense protein.

If refreshment had a flavor, it might taste something like this Vinho Verde from Aveleda. The name 'Fonte' means 'fountain' in Portuguese – a perfect description for a wine that flows with such effortless drinkability. Made from indigenous Portuguese varieties Loureiro and Alvarinho (the same as Spain's Albariño), this is the ideal introduction to Portugal's most famous white wine style. Aveleda, a family-owned estate dating back to 1870, is one of the region's most respected producers. Their Fonte Branco captures everything that makes Vinho Verde so beloved – it's light, crisp, and subtly complex with just enough fruit to keep things interesting without becoming heavy. Lower in alcohol than most whites, it's perfect for daytime sipping, summer gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a wine that refreshes rather than overwhelms. The kind of bottle that disappears with alarming speed – especially on hot days when nothing else will quite hit the spot.

Aveleda Mandriola is a refreshing white wine from the Lisboa region of Portugal, known for its crisp acidity and bright fruit character. This wine showcases the indigenous Portuguese grape varieties with vibrant citrus flavors and a clean, mineral-driven finish.

Portugal's white wines remain one of the wine world's best-kept secrets, and the Mariana White from Herdade do Rocim is a perfect example of why that's a shame. This blend of indigenous Portuguese varieties delivers a distinctive character you simply won't find in more familiar whites. Coming from Alentejo, a region better known for its reds, this white blend combines the structure and citrus notes of Arinto, the body and tropical fruit of Antão Vaz, and the aromatic complexity of Alvarinho (the same grape as Spain's Albariño). The result is a wine that's both refreshing and substantial, with enough complexity to keep things interesting but remaining utterly drinkable. It's the perfect bottle for those looking to venture beyond the usual white wine suspects and discover what makes Portuguese whites so special – and such remarkable values.