Noisy Water Winery

In this instance, “green” also refers to “new” and Nuevo Verde is our winemaker’s take on Vinho Verde, a dry white wine that has increased in popularity in the last ten to fifteen years. While the term “Vinho Verde” (“green wine”)  typically refers to wines produced in a certain region in northern Portugal, it also means wine produced from an early harvest and drunk young, with little or no aging. This gives the wine a crisp and refreshing “young” finish. It is typically a blend of white wine grapes, not a particular varietal, a can be enjoyed with a meal or by itself. 

“When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But, why wonder, why wonder?
I'm green and it'll do fine
It's beautiful and I think it's what I want to be”
--Andrew Bird, sung by Kermit the Frog

Because it is a fairly neutral grape, most of its flavor derives from the terroir in which it is grown and the way in which it is aged, which enables the winemaker to showcase their skills in bringing out the grapes’ full potential. At the peak of its popularity in the late ‘80s, some winemakers got a little carried away with aging Chardonnay in oak, which gave it a characteristic with which it has become synonymous. However, the type and amount of oak aging, or none at all, can be the winemaker’s touch in bringing out the best of Chardonnay.

“Everyone can commit to 20 minutes, especially if there’s a glass of Chardonnay afterwards.” 
—Kate Winslet

At that point, I knew nothing about wine varietals; about acidity or tannins; about blends or bouquets or body; or what made wines sweet or dry. All I knew was that I really, REALLY liked what was in the glass. And I kept coming back.

Eventually, I kept coming back so much that they put me on the payroll. And while I've learned so much about wines in the years since and expanded my palate to enjoy drier wines (red as well as white), there remains a spot in my heart for my first Noisy Water love, Jo Mamma's White.

“Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter, sermons and soda water the day after.”
 – Lord Byron

Amor En Fuego is literally translated as “love on fire”. And if you love red chile, chocolate, and wine, you’ll understand how this wine got its name. With hints of berries and toasted marshmallow on the nose, and a rich velvety middle of milk chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla, finishing with a spicy red chile kick (but not too spicy!), this wine is a perfect complement to an appetizer course loaded with fruits and cheeses or as a dessert with a rich cheesecake or anything sweet and creamy like tres leches cake. Or pair it with something dark and chocolatey, like brownies.

“To love is to burn, to be on fire.”
— Jane Austen