Anselmo Mendes, Monção e Melgaço (Vinho Verde, Portugal) Alvarinho 2019

 Vinho Verde, Portugal’s largest appellation, lies in that country’s northwest corner, bordering Spain.  It’s known for racy high-acid wines.  Some, sadly, provide little more than acidity.  Enter Anselmo Mendes.  His Muros Antigos delivers the mouth-cleansing zippy edge, but in addition there’s a lovely floral quality and an engaging lime-like quality.  Precise and clean, it a superb example of what the region can produce — and a bargain to boot.  Stock up.  Spring will be here before you know it.  Once you open a bottle, you’ll realize that spring has arrived.