Tejo

The wines from this region are some of the most vibrant and affordable wines in Portugal today.

Tejo, called Ribatejo until 2009, is known as the region of vineyards, olive groves, cork forests and the famous Lusitano horses. Tejo is a Portuguese wine region that covers the same area as the Ribatejo.

It takes its name from the river Tejo (Tagus). The whole region has the right to use the Vinho Regional designation Tejo VR, while some areas are classified in the higher Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC) and then called DoTejo DOC. VR is similar to the French vin de pays and DOC is similar to the French AOC. Native red grapes include Touriga Nacional, Portugal's most famous variety, as well as Trincadeira and Castelão.

The aromatic Fernão Pires and the lively Arinto produce some of the region's freshest white wines. These indigenous grapes thrive in the warm climate and complex soils and produce balanced wines with fruity aromas.

In terms of soil and terroir, three sectors are distinguished: Bairro, Charneca and Campo.

• Bairro lies to the north of the river and has rolling hills with a subsoil of limestone mixed with clay, and in the far north also some schistes.

• To the south we find Charneca. This sector is fairly flat but very dry with mainly poor sandy soil. This is also where the fruit ripens the fastest. Older vines here fight for water and produce beautiful, complex wines.

• In the Campo, right on the banks of the stream, the vineyards enjoy the most of the maritime climate of the Ocean. The alluvial soils provide smooth, fruity wines with a good acid structure, due to the moderating influence of the sea.

Typical white grape varieties

Arinto

Fernão Pires

Rabo de Ovelha

Typical red grape varieties

Alfrocheiro

Aragonez

Baga

Castelão

Touriga Nacional

Trincadeira