Wine of the week: Vinho verde 2023

Vinho verde quality rebounded this year, but prices remain high

"Do you think vinho verde would have paired better with this food?"

Vinho verde, the cheap Portuguese white wine (and sometimes rose) hasn't been especially cheap the past couple of years. Which raises an intriguing question: What's the point of a cheap wine that isn’t cheap anymore? If I can buy better quality wine for $15 (and I can), why would I spend $15 for vinho verde?

Having said that, most of the vinhos I tasted this year -- save for long-time favorite Faisao -- were of higher quality than last year. Sadly, the Faisao, both white and rose, were too soft, too sweet, almost flat, and huge disappointments.