The type of fining agent used in creating wine will determine whether it is awarded Vegan-Friendly status (no animal-derivative agent is used i.e. the winemaker may use Bentonite Clay) or Vegetarian-Friendly status (the use of egg white or casein - a milk product) or neither (where gelatin, isinglass or chitosan may be used).
Here is our offering of Vegan and Vegetarian approved wines - you might be surprised to see some of your old favourites here!
2023 Vila Nova Vinho Verde
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Great tasting, modern Vinho Verde from the super reliable Vila Nova estate.
Tasting Notes
Floral, citrus and gentle tropical aromas lead on to a palate that is deliciously off-dry with flavours of ripe melon and sherbet lemon acidity. The finish is refreshing with a classic spritz.

Production
Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region, in the North of Portugal. The vinho verde vineyards are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world. The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where they are destemmed and soft pressed and temperature-controlled fermentation.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's vinho verde wine region, around a 30 minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making vinho verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro and Alvarinho.
Awards
- 2019 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Gold
- 2019 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Trophy
- 2016 Vintage - Simmerlier Wine Awards 2017 Silver
Alan's Personal Notes
"I can’t remember the last time I drank Vino Verde - probably sometime in the Eighties - but I don’t know why - as this is delightful! Off-dry with ripe fruits offset by a citric minerality making this an extremely enjoyable glass with great flavour and balance. Perfect for the spring/summer weather that’s about to happen- so I’ll be drinking VV a lot more over the next few months!" March 2022
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Loureiro; 15% Avesso, 35% Arinto |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content
|
11% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matching |
Great as an aperitif - or serve with salads, sushi and grilled fish
|
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Origin | Vinho Verde |
Appellation | DOC Vino Verde |

2022 Vila Nova Alvarinho
Regular price £13.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Portuguese cousin to the ever-popular Albarino.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright citrus aromas with hints of mandarin.
Palate
Fresh and lively on the palate with citrus characters, textural stone fruit and appealing minerality on the finish.

Production
Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub-region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region in the North of Portugal, the Vinho Verde lands are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world. The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where the grapes are destemmed then a soft pressing takes place and fermentation in temperature controlled vats.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy-clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's Vinho Verde wine region, around a 30-minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making Vinho Verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro, and Alvarinho.
Awards
- Bronze - Sommelier Wine Award 2020 (2019 vintage)
- Best Value White - The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 (2018 Vintage)
- Top 100 - The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 (2018 Vintage)
- Gold - Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 (2018 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Alvarinho |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A good match for chicken salads, fish and sushi. Or perhaps Vietnamese meatballs? |
Origin | Vinho Verde |
Appellation | Vinho Regional Minho |

2022 Vila Nova Vinho Verde Rosé
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This is a pretty, soft and fruity Vinho Verde rosé made from the local Espadeiro grape.
Tasting Notes
Fresh red berries on the nose, the palate has delicate wild strawberry and zesty redcurrant fruit, off-dry with a soft and appealing finish.

Production
Produced from the red Espadeiro grape which is cultivated here in Vinho Verde (also found in Galicia, northern Spain). The must undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy-clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's Vinho Verde wine region, around a 30-minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards, and began making vinho verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro and Alvarinho.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Espadeiro |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content
|
11.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Rose |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matching |
Perfect with simple pasta dishes, salads and white meats.
|
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Origin | Vinho Verde |
Appellation | DOC Vino Verde |
