The perfect white wine for a warm afternoon

A very long time ago, on a rainy day in Lisbon, Sairey and I took a cab to the Gulbenkian and then walked back to our hotel through Lisbon.

Needless to say, we required sustenance en route. We stopped at a small sidewalk café where the only language was Portuguese. However, I have an unusual talent and can order wine anywhere in the world in any language. I asked for a vinho verde, the very light, bright, refreshing white wine that serves as adult lemonade throughout Portugal.

To my surprise, the only bottle on offer was a label we had not encountered despite three weeks of serious exploration of vinho verde. The café was not particularly prepossessing and the small tapas we ordered to see us back to the hotel not memorable, but I never forgot that wine.

Casal Garcia has appeared here on the shelves, rather to my astonishment. Sentiment alone required I pick up a bottle. Things must have changed in the last decade, because the label now proudly acclaims that it is the “No. 1 most sold Vinho Verde in the world.”

If you’ve never had a glass of Vinho Verde, I recommend you buy some. It is very inexpensive, low alcohol and slightly effervescent (frizzante to Italians, petillant to the French.) The tart, bright flavour is tremendously refreshing, and a perfect afternoon drink on the deck. Best of all, the lower alcohol content is well suited to slow afternoon consumption.

Casal Garcia’s version is a perfect example of the type. Tart and refreshing, it is an excellent wine with a salad or shrimp. The palate is slightly lemony, with a complex bouquet. This is a wine to try.

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV $12 ****

Italian Red next week. Other wines on Twitter.com/drbooze.