Geographical Indication Minho
The Minho Geographical Indication encompasses the wines, spirits and wine vinegars produced that geographically coincide geographically with the DO Vinho Verde production area, although they are subject to different rules and procedures.
1993: IG Minho was legally created for wines produced in the Minho region, designated "Vinho Regional Minho"
1997: CVRVV was recognized by the Portuguese government as the entity responsible for the monitoring and certification of Minho Regional Wine (at the time only still wines could carry the IG Minho label);
2009: Created in 1926 to protect and control DO Vinho Verde, in 2009, CVRVV was further designated by the Portuguese government and granted the IPAC–Portuguese Accreditation Institute’s authority to monitor the production, trade, and certification of wine products entitled to DO Vinho Verde and IG Minho;
2012: Liqueur wines, sparkling wines, quality sparkling wines, semi-sparkling wines, carbonated semi-sparkling wines, spirits and wine vinegars were included in the IG;
2020: CVRVV was legally recognized as the management entity of DO Vinho Verde and IG Minho, performing governmentally delegated strategic management, legal protection, and promotion functions for both designations, as it continues to do.
1997: CVRVV was recognized by the Portuguese government as the entity responsible for the monitoring and certification of Minho Regional Wine (at the time only still wines could carry the IG Minho label);
2009: Created in 1926 to protect and control DO Vinho Verde, in 2009, CVRVV was further designated by the Portuguese government and granted the IPAC–Portuguese Accreditation Institute’s authority to monitor the production, trade, and certification of wine products entitled to DO Vinho Verde and IG Minho;
2012: Liqueur wines, sparkling wines, quality sparkling wines, semi-sparkling wines, carbonated semi-sparkling wines, spirits and wine vinegars were included in the IG;
2020: CVRVV was legally recognized as the management entity of DO Vinho Verde and IG Minho, performing governmentally delegated strategic management, legal protection, and promotion functions for both designations, as it continues to do.
The IG Minho universe of grape varieties
One of the most characteristic qualities of the IG Minho universe of varieties is that it is not strictly limited to the traditional regional grapes but also encompasses other fine Portuguese and international varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc.
Thus, IG Minho is open to experimentation and innovationwith a range of grape varieties and winemaking processes enabling new ways of expressing the region.
Nevertheless, the rigor involved in granting the certification is just as strict as with DO Vinho Verde, with the same levels of legislative compliance and physico-chemical analysis, as well as the quality assessment by a professional tasting panel.
Still wines, sparkling wines, semi-sparkling wines and carbonated semi-sparkling wines are all subject to the IG Minho certification, as are wine spirits and wine vinegars.
History of the Region
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Vinho Verde Guarantee Seals
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