I know very little about wine and, while I'm unsure if I'm intimidated by the subject or simply possess a general disinterest, I can't say I really care to learn any more. Apart from a clear preference for red wines and wines that taste "stony" (or as I like to joke—badly—"wines that will put the stones to me"), all that matters to me is that a wine tastes good. My ambivalence, particularly toward white wine, has recently been called into question by an infatuation with Vinho Verde, a classic Portuguese white wine.

I came across a mention of it in this month's issue of Domino, a home magazine I like to read while eating in bed and planning imaginary dinner-party menus, that called it "effervescent and clean tasting." I found a tall, handsome green bottle of Arca Nova Vinho Verde at Madison Market for $8.99, and since then I've consumed a few different bottles with large amounts of radicchio risotto,and find myself talking about Vinho Verde, even Googling it and looking it up on Wikipedia. I'm smitten with this wine—its vaguely carbonated, minerally first sip, its sweet smell but dry and bracing flavor. Even now, writing with one of the worst hangovers I've ever had, I know Vinho Verde will be the perfect hair of the dog.

Vinho Verde is available at wine shopsand grocery stores around town.