Espumante

Espumante, pronounced esh-pu-mant, is the Portuguese version of a sparkling wine. And unlike Cava, it's not exclusively produced in the northern parts of Spain, Espumante is not only produced in the wet north of Vinho Verde but also in the southern region of Portugal, the Alentejo, famous for its extreme temperatures and thirsty climate.

Today, the Bairrada region accounts for more than 60% of the total sparkling wine produced in Portugal. 7.5 million bottles are sold every year in the region, of which two million are certified. From 2016 to 2017 the production of sparkling wine in Bairrada grew by 18%, stimulated by the launch of the brand Baga Bairrada, a new generation of national sparkling wines (based on the predominant caste in the region) and to compete with the Cava of Catalonia. or the Asti and Prosecco of Italy.

As for champagnes, they have their own separate championship, a kind of Champions League of the wine universe in which only wines from the mythical French region of Champagne are homologated. A geographical exclusivity that is reflected in the taste (a combination of unique soils, the so-called terroir, cupboards and the climate), but especially in prices: on average between 5 and 50 euros for sparkling wines; and between € 30 and € 3000 for champagnes.

The Portuguese sparkling wines fall into 4 categories:

Bairrada DOP Espumante. VEQPRD = Vinho Espumante de Qualidade Produzido em Regiao Determinada. 2nd fermentation in the bottle. Méthode traditionelle, region Barriada

VFQPRD (Vinho Frisante de Qualidade Produzido em Regiao Determinada). Sparkling wines from a specified range of regions. Made on the basis of the Méthode traditionelle, Charmat or Transfer method in one of the following regions, Douro, Ribatejo, Estremadura (Lisbõa), Minho, Alentejo

VQPRD (Vinhos de Qualidad Produzides em Regiao Determinada). Wine produced under DOP or intellectual property rights. Made on one of the methods mentioned above but can be made anywhere in Portugal

Espumoso. Entry-level sparkling wine. The cheapest and lowest level of sparkling wine, made by injecting the wine with CO2. Can be made anywhere in Portugal

Espumante

Top Wines

Region

Grapes