Summer is the time for garden parties, picnics and beach days, accompanied by a light, refreshing wine.

It is here in the far west of Europe that sites Quinta da Raza, an Estate that produces wine in a region where qualities like lightness and freshness have always been cherished and understood, the Vinho Verde Region. The Northwest of Portugal can almost be called by its most modern name, “Vinho Verde Region”, all because of its predominant wine product, which is a testament to both how serious we take Vinho Verde and how important it is for our region.

Vinho Verde means freshness and is usually a light, young wine, often bottled three to six months after the harvest, but it can also be more complex with some ageing in vats and bottles. Around 85 percent of the wines produced in the region are white, but there are also reds, rosés and even sparkling wines. Our region 's traditional grape varieties such as Alvarinho, Avesso, Azal, Arinto and Trajadura give the wine a lovely fruitiness, often surrounded by subtle floral notes.

The cooling proximity of the Atlantic and its influence on the climate ensure an indisputable connection to summer. Fresh, but not aggressive, our wines still retain a fine sprightliness, characteristic well appreciated by consumers all over the world. Summer activities like picnics and barbecues are perfect moments for sipping a lively fresh young wine. Quinta da Raza  also make the ideal summer wines because of their excellent suitability for light meals, salads, vegetable dishes and, above all, fish and seafood from the grill, which are undoubtedly summer friendly dishes.

Every time we see the words Vinho Verde and Summer in the same sentence, we cannot help thinking about a beach chair, a table with a bucket of ice, a couple of glasses and a bottle of Quinta da Raza. Our wines are, not only, but certainly the perfect summer wines.