Portugal: indigenous grape varieties and interesting wines
The Portuguese nation and people originate from the region of Porto in the north. Portugal is rapidly developing as a leading wine producer but primarily keeps to its own indigenous grape varieties in a bid to distinguish itself from other wine-producing countries. In Portugal, every glass of wine tells a story, from sun-drenched vineyards, age-old traditions and a vibrant local culture. From the terraced hills of the Douro Valley to the rolling plains of Alentejo, Portugal is a country where wine is not just a drink, but a journey through time, flavours and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or simply curious, Portugal promises an unforgettable adventure for anyone who ventures into the world of wine.
Portugal’s winemaking heritage is as diverse as its geography, offering unique experiences in every corner of the country. Since we launched our online store in 2016, it has been clear that Portugal is slowly but surely taking its place among the more well-known European wine countries such as France & Italy, and this has everything to do with quality and price.
Portuguese wines are an intriguing individuality. As soon as you taste them, you immediately say "typically Portuguese". They are wines with an unmistakable character, suitable for the adventurous wine drinker. That's you. After joining the EU, Portugal used EU subsidies to help the wine industry catch up over the years, their asset is the great variety of native grapes and wines of excellent quality.
Portugal, like Spain, has a long history in wine growing that dates back to before the Romans. From the 14th century, Great Britain and Portugal became overseas trading partners. When England clashed with France and the Netherlands at the beginning of the 18th century, England sought new wine regions and found them in Porto and Madeira. For the British, drinking port wine had become a patriotic act because French wine was, after all, their enemy's. The wine trade became such a hype that a British consul was even appointed in the city of Viana do Castelo to represent British interests in the wine trade.
Just like Spain with its sherry, Portugal has its own unique style of fortified wines that have become world famous, namely port and madeira wine. In addition, there are modern red and white wines, mainly from indigenous Portuguese grapes. Some of these grapes are the same as Spanish grapes only with a different name, and of course also a different character due to their adaptation to the place and the area where these grapes grow.
What has Portugal to offer?
Let's start with the fortified wines. Portugal is probably the country with the most types of fortified wine that are known and recognized worldwide, such as Port and Madeira wines! But in fact, they produce a total of four types of fortified wine, in addition to Port and Madeira, there is Moscatel (from Setúbal and Douro) and Carcavelos.
Port wine: or ‘porto’, later evolved into ‘port’ in English because these wines were shipped from Porto in the north of Portugal, is a fortified wine, suitable for long-term storage. Port is something for all seasons. It is often drunk as a digestif, by the fire or with a cigar, but can be enjoyed at different times and in different ways, depending on the character of the wine. There is a range of different port styles, from vibrant youthful ruby red to venerable matured tawny and vintage. Port is often thought of as a winter drink, but matured tawnies, colheitas and mature vintage Ports can be exceptionally elegant and refined and can be drunk all year round. White Port with or without tonic - also known as Portonic -, ruby, tawnies and rosé Port (served slightly chilled) are just as suitable for warm summer days as a ruby or full-bodied Late Bottled Vintage for the winter months. Port has never been away but has been gaining more attention in recent years.
Madeira Wine: The history of Madeira wine begins early with the discovery of the island in 1419. At that time, people started planting wheat, sugar cane and of course vines in this land. The fame and prestige of this wine can still be confirmed by numerous episodes, including the celebration of the independence of the United States of America in 1776, which was celebrated with a toast to Madeira wine! Madeira wine usually has an elegant amber or dark gold color. In the mouth it is fruity with fresh acidity, depending on the grape varieties from which it is made, but always very well balanced with notes of caramel and roasted dried fruit. The dry and medium-dry Madeira are great as an aperitif. The cheeses go perfectly with the medium-sweet Madeiras and the sweet ones are ideal for desserts, chocolate and to drink with an espresso coffee.
Moscatel: In Portugal, Moscatel is produced in two regions: in Setúbal – the Moscatel de Alexandria or Moscatel roxo varieties – and in Douro, namely in Favaios, where the Moscatel Petit Grains variety is used. This sweet topaz nectar has also been consumed by various royal courts in Europe. This is the case for King Richard II of England who already mentioned the import of Moscatel de Setúbal in 1381 or Louis XIV who demanded it in the 17th century at his parties in Versailles. It is also widely consumed in Brazil. Moscatel can be served as an aperitif and is recommended to drink at a temperature of 10º C. As a dessert wine, it is an excellent accompaniment to dark chocolate or any egg-based dessert, such as the famous Azeitão cake. You can read more about Moscatel wines in this blog, Moscatel Do Douro or Moscatel de Setubal and Moscatel or Muscat
Carcavelos: In wine terms, it is produced in the subregion of Carcavelos, in the Lisbon wine region, but in geographical terms, it is made in the city of Oeiras. Furthermore, it is a historical wine with records in the region since the 15th century. However, this small region was disappearing due to rapid urban development and intense real estate pressure, which is seen as a better investment than planting vineyards in the middle of the city. Fortunately, everything changed in 1997 when the Municipality of Oeiras, in collaboration with the National Agronomic Station – located in Quinta do Marquês de Pombal – decided to recover and preserve this heritage, and continue the production of this historic wine! Currently, there are a total of 62 hectares planted in this region, of which the Arinto, Galego Dourado and Ratinho are the three main varieties. Fortified with Lourinhã's famous brandy, this honey-coloured sweet wine is considered by many winemakers to be one of the best Portuguese aperitifs and a great digestif.
Of course, Portugal also has a colourful collection of delicious still and sparkling wines.
Red and white wines – Portugal also produces interesting red, white and rosé wines mainly from indigenous grape varieties. Most wine production techniques are comparable to those of other countries. Portugal is often associated with red wines, however, after port and madeira, the next most well-known Portuguese wines is a white wine from Vinho Verde. Vinho verde is an important green region of Northern Portugal. Countless rode, white and rosé wines are produced all over Portugal.
The most important regions of wine production in Portugal are from north to south
Vinho Verde – both a DOC as the name of the wine type. The “Vinho Verde” wine is a bright, green-tinted white wine with a soft sparkle and mild alcohol content. Vinho Verde is produced from many different white grapes. Other wine types are produced in the DOC Vinho Verde. One example is Alvarinho wine, made from the Alvarinho grape. The Alvarinho is related to the Albariño in Spain, just outside the border with Rias Baixas.
Porto & Douro – Porto is also a name of both a DOC as a type of wine. Port wines are produced from vineyards along the river Douro. These vineyards yield a variety of grapes, usually red, but often also white. Douro wines are not rarely blends.
Dão & Lafões - Dão e Lafões is a coastal area below the river Douro. Produces mostly red and a select few white wines.
Alentejo – Alentejo is located in the southern half of the country. The region produces many different kinds of wine.
Madeira – both the name of a DOC as a type of wine. Madeira is a small island in the Atlantic Ocecan renowned for its walking and hiking routes.