Underdog Grape · Portugal

Vinhão

Vinhão is a near-black, bracingly tart red from Vinho Verde, poured cold and built on acid instead of weight. If you want Syrah's color and pepper without the heat and heft, this is the contrarian's answer.

Tasting profile
Near-opaque purple in the glass, all blackberry and black pepper up front, then a sour-cherry acidity that scrubs everything clean.
Where it grows
Vinho Verde, Portugal
Where to buy
For specific bottles and where to buy them, read the deep dive.

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The region

Vinho Verde, Portugal

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Read the deep diveVinhão: The Inky, Sour Red Portugal Barely Lets Out of the Country

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