Vinho Verde Interpretation & Promotion Center: Ponte de Lima

While wandering through Ponte de Lima, in the Vinho Verde region, we stopped at the Centro de Interpretação e Promoção do Vinho Verde (CIPVV), the "Vinho Verde Interpretation & Promotion Center," which is partially located in the Casa Torreada Dos Barbosa Aranha, a historical tower that was built in the 17th century. 

The CIPVV has a number of goals, but it's primarily to promote the region and wines of the Vinho Verde. They also conduct numerous research projects concerning the region. As such, the building contains a museum (with both permanent and temporary exhibits), a small theater and a tasting room.  If you want to know more about Vinho Verde and its wines, this is a good place to gain a basic understanding. 

We walked through the museum, although the temporary exhibit room was currently closed as it was being renovated. 

There were numerous pieces of old equipment that once were used in the area.

This is the costume of the Confraria do Vinho Verde, the Brotherhood of Vinho Verde. It includes a green cape, lined and hemmed in black and yellow ribbon, with a bunch of silver grapes (which is the symbol of the brotherhood). In addition, a wide brimmed black hat and a silver badge would complete the costume. Since 1990, the Confraria has been supporting and promoting the study of Vinho Verde, its traditions, history, gastronomy, wine tourism and folklore.

An old bottle for Red Vinho Verde, which was far more common in the past.

From an outside deck in the tower, there was a gorgeous view of Ponte de Lima, where you can even see the famed bridge. You can also look down and see some grapes vines in land behind the tower.

A Loureiro vine, a major white grape in the Lima region. 

After watching a short film on Vinho Verde and its wines, we adjourned to the tasting room, which displayed about 60 wines on its walls. We tasted 4 Vinho Verde wines, three whites and one red. Each was priced from 5 to 6.5 Euros, and were excellent values at those prices. 

The 2020 Quinta Pousada de Fora Arinto (5 Euros) is produced from 100% Arinto and has a 14% ABV. It was bright and crisp, without any effervescence, and tasty flavors of green apple and lemon, as well as some mineral notes. Tasty on its own, it would pair well with seafood and light chicken dishes. These are the type of Vinho Verde white wines that we need more of in the U.S. 

The 2021 Terres de Real Alvarinho (6.5 Euros), produced from Alvarinho grapes from the famed Moncão e Melgaço subregion, has a 12.5% ABV. It is crisp and intense, with strong citrus and tropical fruit flavors and a mineral backbone. Well balanced, with a lengthy, pleasing finish, this is another excellent wine from the Vinho Verde region. Bring on the seafood!

The 2021 Sapateiro Alvarinho & Avesso, with a 13% ABV, is a bright and crisp wine, with a complex melange of flavors including citrus, stone fruit and some tropical notes. There is a briny touch, a lengthy finish, and each sip is pure deliciousness. This is a good wine to slowly sip, savoring the various flavors that tantalize your palate. 

The 2022 Casa Santa Eulalia Plainas Tinto Vinhão (5 Euros), with a 12% ABV, is a Red Vinho Verde. With a very dark purple color, the wine presented with delicious and juicy red and black fruit flavors and a hint of spice. Good acidity, mild tannins and a pleasing finish. A nice burger or pizza wine, which would be sure to please most wine lovers.

If you visit Ponte de Lima, and want to learn more about Vinho Verde wines, you should make a stop at the Centro de Interpretação e Promoção do Vinho Verde. It will probably take you no more than an hour to visit the museum and taste some wine.