The 5 amazing wine regions of Portugal you need to taste, wherever you are
- FancifulRoamer
- Jul 13, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 22
Whenever we think of wines of Portugal, Port wine is the first to come to mind. But there are 14 major wine regions in Portugal, each with its own subregions.
Portugal is split into 31 areas of Controlled Designation of Origin. Here are some of the unique wines of Portugal that you need to try on your vacation to this beautiful country. Or add them to your shopping list for the next fun dinner you host.
Read on about the regions, taste, and how to pair your Portuguese wines like a connoisseur.
Douro Valley
Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, producing Port wine since the 18th century. But locals have been making wine for about 2000 years now. The valley has been landscaped by humans adapting to the pests, demand, and technology. Now, the terraces are wide for the best sun exposure and grafted with North American vines that withstand pests.
Port wine is wine fortified with brandy, which stops the fermentation process. It's then aged in barrels before bottling.
This wine is usually very sweet, rich, and complex. It is fruity and can have notes of chocolate, honey, or caramel.
The main grapes usually used for Port are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão, Tinta Barroca, and Touriga Franca.
The main types of Port wine are ruby, tawny, white, and vintage. A decade ago, the delicate rosé Port was introduced. They are all generally full-bodied, sweet, and fruity. The vintage Port is a must-try. The aging brings out the elegance and a new set of flavors, like dry fruit, peppery spice, or cigar.
You cannot go wrong with Ferreira, Sandeman, Graham's, or Taylor's Port wines. Instead of dessert, serve Port wine along with fine cheeses, dark chocolate, and walnuts. For a vintage, savor it with a cigar or on its own.
Remember that Douro Valley also produces non-fortified wines. I don't think I ever picked up a Douro bottle that I didn't like. I can suggest Animus Douro, Eminente Red Blend Reserva and Quinta Das Carvalhas Douro Tinto.
Vinho Verde - Green Wine
Vinho Verde is made in the north-eastern part of Portugal, by the Douro Valley region. The lush, green foliage seems to transfer its green notes to the wine.
In the 17th century, Vinho Verde was naturally carbonated as it was bottled before the fermentation was complete. Today, the carbonation is added before bottling. It is not a bubbly, but a fizzy wine. This crisp, low-alcohol wine is also affordable. Not needing to be aged keeps time and supplies costs down.
Vinho Verde is a perfect summer beverage- fresh, fruity, and slightly fizzy. It translates to "green wine", but it is a white wine. The name comes from the green surroundings in the area of origin, or from the youthfulness of the wine. It is light yellow in color, acidic, with green fruit notes, and usually dry.
The white grapes used to produce this wine can be Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Batoca, Loureiro, and Trajadura. It can also be made into red or rosé wine.
It is a perfect wine to sip on a hot summer's day. It goes well with goat cheese, ceviche, and tacos. I like to pair it with a personal cheese board with olives, fresh fruit, and baguette slices.
Grab these bottles for an amazing wine: Muralhas Vinho Verde, Aveleda Loureiro Vinho Verde, Soalheiro Alvarinho.
Alentejo
Alentejo wine comes from the very hot and dry eastern area of Portugal. The region is named after its proximity to Tejo river, also known as the Tagus river. The river originates in Spain, crosses Portugal, and passes by Lisbon before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Vasco da Gama started his expedition to the New World from here.
The Alentejo area is sparsely populated. It is used for cereal crops and the world's largest cork plantation. It also produces rich, ripe wines with centuries of tradition.
The grapes used are Aragonez, Castelão, Alicante Bouschet, and Trincadeira. They can also be found blended together into a rich wine.
The red wines from Alentejo are full-bodied, smooth, with rich tannins. They have aromas of red fruit and berries. The white variety is light, soft, and fresh. They have low acidity, with notes of citrus, tropical fruit, and herbs. White Alentejo wines are known to be similar to Chardonnay.
For elegant Alentejo white wine, pick Alandra White from Herdade do Esporão and Dona Maria Amantis Reserve White. For lush reds, choose Artesania Alentejo Red and Herdade do Peso Vinha do Monte Red Alentejo. No matter which one you go for, these reds and whites go perfectly with a nice meal of meat or fish.
Lisboa
Lisbon Wine Region contains 9 sub-regions, each with a unique approach. The Bucelas region only produces fine white wines, very sought after internationally. Lourinhã is the only DOC to produce wine spirits. Óbidos offers wine and sparkling wine, as well as a well-preserved medieval town that you need to visit.
Laid along the Atlantic coastline, these vineyards produce fresh and complex wines.
If you're visiting Lisbon, leave time for a day trip to wineries and tastings.
The Lisbon region grows popular international grapes like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. They also produce a large quantity of table wine, enjoyed by the locals. The Portuguese grapes include Arinto, Ramisco, Castelão, Touriga Nacional, Malvasia Fina, Alvarinho, Fernão Pires.
The red wines of the Lisbon region feature red berries, spices, and earthy notes. The white ones are citrusy and floral, with aromas of tropical fruits. Most offer a bright acidity and complex flavors. The grapes closer to the ocean pack minerality, while the ones more inland have richer fruit layers.
For a delicate fortified wine, try Villa Oeiras Carcavelos Vinho Generoso, aged for 7 years. Quinta de S. Francisco Tinto and Pereira Red are popular reds. Quinta da Romeira Morgado de Sta. Catherina Reserva is a delicious wine from the Bucelas region. Or get fancy with a Sôttal Frisante Rosé Sparkling Wine. You cannot go wrong with Casa Romana Vini producer, with their vast collection of Página wines.
I would start with a sparkling wine, served with light appetizers. The full-bodied, acidic Lisbon wines go well with a seafood main course. The fortified wine goes well with a charcuterie board or as a dessert replacement.
Algarve
The Algarve wine region is in the south of Portugal. It's famous for beautiful beaches, amazing coastal hikes, hidden bays, and surfing spots. The sunny days and warm weather make light wines easy to drink on a summer's day.
The Algarve produces wines low in alcohol, acidity, and tannins. They are fresh, and the notes range from mineral to fruity to herbal.
Negra Mole, Trincadeira, and Castelão are the preferred red grapes grown in the Algarve. Crato Branco, Malvasia Fina, and Arinto are the popular white grapes.
Quinta Dos Vales is a very popular local winery. Their Selecta trio of red, rosé, and white wines is popular for balanced floral and fruity flavors.
Herdade Barranco Do Vale has a rich history, with Ana Chavez working on moving it forward. The winery produces reds, whites, and rosés. The reds are nutty and fresh, the whites floral with notes of citrus, and the complex rosé is floral, herbal, and elegant.
Enjoy the local stew in a cataplana with a crisp white wine like Vida Nova, which has notes of citrus and tropical fruits. Reserva do Comendador white wine is a complex one, with citrus and ripe fruit notes, along with vanilla, great for a special fish or white meat dish. Quinta do Outeiro and João Clara red wines are a perfect match for red meat, bringing on aromas of red fruit and spices.
🍷Trust your intuition with wine! Carefully read the back of the wine bottle. If the wine description and flavor combination sounds good to you, it's most likely a perfect pick.
These are only some of the delicious wines of Portugal. Having an idea of what the wine tastes like can be inspiring in trying out new things. I hope you enjoy my selections. Let me know your favorite pairing!
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