1. Wine Guide
2. -
3. Wine Regions
4. -
5. Portugal

• Transmontano

• Douro

• Dão

• Beira Interior

• Alentejo

• Algarve

• Madeira

• Setúbal

• Tejo

• Lisboa

• Beira Atlantico

• Vinho Verde

• Transmontano

  

  An Introduction to Transmontano

  Transmantano, or Trás-os-Montes, is in the remote north east corner of Portugal, with a backdrop of dramatic mountains which tower over the border with Spain. The main DOC regions here follow the paths of winding rivers, including the Douro and Tua, with vineyards situated at both high and low altitudes resulting in two broad styles of wine. The higher altitude wines tend to be lighter in body and low in alcohol, whereas the low altitude wines are fuller in body and high in alcohol. Grapes grown here are primarily native to Portugal, with Bastardo and varieties of Touriga and Trincadeira making up the reds. On the whites, Malvasia is widely grown, as is Codega do Larinho, a popular local variety. Keep an eye out for lightly sparkling rosé wines from this area, otherwise known as rosada – they are superb!

  Climate and Geography

  Trás-os-Montes translates as behind or beyond the mountains, which is a literal description of the geographical makeup of the region. The scenery here changes as dramatically as the seasons, with lush green fields, pine forest and lines of olive trees in the shadows on snow-capped mountains. Summers here are hot, whilst the winters are icy cold, which plays an enormous role in the styles of wine. The predominately granite soils are not well suited to farming but are in fact ideal for vine growth, and consequently, Transmantano has the largest amount of vine in Portugal. The only downside is that this is one of driest regions in the whole country, meaning yields are commonly low.

  

  Red Varieties

  Bastardo, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trincadeira

  

  White Varieties

  Malvasia, Bual, Codega do Larinho, Fernão Pires, Gouveio, Gewürztraminer

  

  Climate

  Moderate

  

  Landscape

  Mountainous

  

  Soil

  Granite, schist

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Douro

  

  An Introduction to Douro

  Douro is a region of ample sunshine, pure soils and luscious conditions for viticulture. Famous the world over as the home of Port, this top winemaking region is renowned for its exquisite fortified wine, rich reds and characterful whites. Steeped in tradition dating back to Roman times, it’s one of the last major wine regions in the world to still be pressing vast quantities of its grapes by foot. Douro experiences long, hot summers and gets little rainfall, making it pretty perfect for holiday makers but less so for winemakers. While the conditions make it hard work for wine producers, Douro is still able to turn out some of the most intense and premium quality wines in Portugal.

  Climate and Geography

  Vineyards line the steep slopes of the River Douro valley, basking in the sunshine. The pure schist and granite soils retain the heat well, and are full of essential plant nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. The only downside to Douro’s geography in terms of viticulture is the shortage of water in the dry summer months. The lack of rain means vine roots have to reach deep into the ground to find the water and nutrients they need to flourish, resulting in a slow ripening process. It’s a slog for winemakers, but it does allow wonderfully complex flavours to develop.

  

  Red Varieties

  Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinto Cão, Tinta Barroca

  

  White Varieties

  Malvasia, Rabigato, Viosinho

  

  Climate

  Continental

  

  Landscape

  Mountainous

  

  Soil

  Granite, schist, slate-like metamorphic rock

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Dão

  

  An Introduction to Dão

  Dão is a region that produces elegant wines with an impressive balance of mineral acidity, flavour concentration and alcohol level. The 30,000 grape-growers in this region benefit from a climate and location that creates perfect conditions for viticulture. The surrounding mountain ranges protect the vineyards planted in the valleys from cold oceanic winds, as well as angling them towards the sun. Winemakers in Dão place a lot of importance on allowing the grapes’ natural fruitiness to shine through, so wines here tend to only be aged for a short amount of time. Some fantastically fresh and fruity rosés and sparkling wines are made in this region, although its star variety remains Touriga Nacional, putting Dão on the map for its red wine production.

  Climate and Geography

  Sheltered by the Caramulo, Buçaco, Nave and Estrela mountains, the Dão wine region experiences a milder climate than other parts of Portugal. Vineyards have been strategically placed on the hillsides (up to 800m high!) to maximise sun exposure, and also to protect the crops from storms and cold winds wafting across from the Atlantic. In the west you’ll find warmer temperatures, while the north-easterly vineyards are more suited to grape varieties that thrive in cooler conditions. Complex flavours can develop in grapes late summer, although most Dão winemakers prefer the fruitier flavours of an earlier harvest. The granite and schist in the soil provide a range of wonderful nutrients for healthy plant growth.

  

  Red Varieties

  Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Aragonez, Rufete

  

  White Varieties

  Encruzado, Bical, Cercial, Malvasia

  

  Climate

  Continental

  

  Landscape

  Mountainous

  

  Soil

  Granite, schist

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Beira Interior

  

  An Introduction to Beira Interior

  Beira Interior is an up and coming region, gradually making a name for itself as one to watch for quality Portuguese vino. Old vines are used to produce herby and aromatic, complex wines from a range of grape varieties. Portuguese grapes are the star of the show in Beira Interior. Fonte Cal leads the way for white wines with its honeyed texture and crisp acidity. Global names such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah and Riesling are grown here as well, and are often blended with local varieties to shape the resulting wine’s style and flavour profile. You’ll also get some incredible sparkling wines from this region too!

  Climate and Geography

  This is a quaint, relatively unspoilt region with luscious green forests and ample agriculture. Stretching along the Serra da Estrela mountain range, some of the highest vineyards in Portugal can be found in Beira Interior. The high altitude is great for cooling down the vines at night and stopping grape ripening from accelerating in the daytime heat. The craggy landscape gives the area a continental feel, with hot summers and cold winter months due its proximity to the mountains’ snow caps. The altitude, sunshine hours and granite soils in this region are a great formula for lovely flavoursome wines.

  

  Red Varieties

  Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Rufete, Bastardo, Marufo

  

  White Varieties

  Síria, Arinto, Fonte Cal, Malvasia, Fernão Pires

  

  Climate

  Continental

  

  Landscape

  Mountainous

  

  Soil

  Schist

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Alentejo

  

  An Introduction to Alentejo

  Alentejo is a large wine region that enjoys plenty of sunshine. It covers around a third of Portugal, and has established itself in recent years as the key wine producing region for fruity, food-friendly reds that dominate Lisbon’s trendy bars and restaurants. Alentejo has been a major player on the wine market since Portugal’s entry into the EU in 1977 brought generous investments into winery technology and vineyards, allowing winemakers to produce the smooth, rich wines the region is known for today. Although the area is huge, only around 5% of this region is planted with vines, showing this is certainly an area known for its quality not quantity. You will also find many old vines growing in Alentejo, which require a great deal of maintenance and care, but allow winemakers to make more complex wines with concentrated flavours and aromas.

  Climate and Geography

  This is a warm wine region found in the north-east of Portugal. Central and southern parts of Alentejo are generally considered pretty hot, although a cooler microclimate exists higher up in the mountains, where more elegant wines with higher acidity can be produced. Soil types vary depending on where you are in the region, ranging from nutrient-rich granite, to fertile chalk and heat-retaining schist. Alentejo is home to many quaint towns and villages, with wine producing estates and farmhouses dotted throughout the region’s rolling hills. Wines produced at these hillside estates will have the labelling term ‘monte’ on their bottle.

  

  Red Varieties

  Alfrocheiro, Moreto, Periquita, Trincadeira

  

  White Varieties

  Antão Vaz, Fernão Pires, Rabo de Ovelha, Roupeiro

  

  Climate

  Warm

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Granite, clay, schist

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Algarve

  

  An Introduction to Algarve

  Vines love the Algarve for its warm, dry summers and all-round idyllic Mediterranean climate. With an average of over 3,000 sunshine hours annually, there’s no shortage of warmth and sunlight for plants to bask in, creating a luscious landscape of vibrant vineyards, avocado plants and citrus fruit trees. Little wine makes it outside of the region, but the Algarve produces some outstanding Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as many local varieties. Red wines from this region are known for being aromatic yet smooth, while whites and rosés are fresh with vibrant fruit flavours.

  Climate and Geography

  The Algarve is Portugal’s most southern wine region, so it’s no surprise that vineyards here have to contend with a lot of heat. The proximity to the sea, however, provides a much welcome cooling breeze, creating a nice balance for viticulture. Thanks to the influences of the ocean, the Algarve is never too hot and never too cold. The soils here are super fertile, allowing for a range of vegetation to thrive alongside the flourishing vineyards.

  

  Red Varieties

  Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Negra Mole, Trincadeira, Castelão

  

  White Varieties

  Siria, Arinto, Malvasia Fina

  

  Climate

  Mediterranean

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Sand, clay. sandstone, schist

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Madeira

  

  An Introduction to Madeira

  On the surface of it, vine growth and wine production should really struggle in Madeira. Very hot, humid weather, coupled with high levels of rainfall, creates an environment with many vinicultural issues including fungal infection. It’s also a very small island spanning less than 35 miles across at the widest point, with a remote, mountainous and volcanic landscape. With all that in mind, this region has produced iconic wines for centuries which are still a key part of food and drink culture today. Wine produced here is usually just referred to as Madeira, made using a variety of primarily white grapes, including native Sercial, Bual, Malvasia and Verdelho. Tinta Negra Mole is the most widely planted grape on the island, which translates to “black soft”.

  Climate and Geography

  Winemaking in Madeira dates back to the 15^th century when the Portugese first landed. Vines were planted on the island and its wine taken on ships, possibly as a cure for scurvy! Nowadays they are simply enjoyed and appreciated for their uniqueness and unrivalled quality. Madeira wines are all aged and fortified. What makes them unique is that traditional winemaking here involves natural or artificial heating of wine in the barrels during the ageing process. This fortifies the wine so much so it is widely regarded as the world’s most long-lived wine. It’s still possible to find bottles from the late 18^th century which are still incredibly alive and enjoyable today! Madeira wines come in various sweetness levels, from seco (dry) and meio seco (medium dry) to meio doce (medium sweet) and doce (sweet). Labelling designations also apply, indicating how long the wine has been aged.

  

  Red Varieties

  Tinta Negra Mole

  

  White Varieties

  Malvasia, Sercial, Verdelho, Bual

  

  Climate

  Hot

  

  Geography

  Mountainous landscape

  

  Soil

  Volcanic

  Shop Portuguese Wines

• Setúbal

  

  An Introduction to Setúbal

  Setúbal wine region is steeped in history. It’s also incredibly diverse with more than 60 grape varieties being grown here. Winemaking really came to the fore in the 12^th and 15^th centuries, stimulated by religious orders and technological advancements. But it was in fact much earlier in the 8^th century, before the formation of Portugal, where the first signs of viticulture can be dated back to. Since then, Setúbal has gone on to build a global reputation for fantastic wine. If there was one you should try it is the famous dessert wine, often named after the region itself, which is made with local Moscatel de Setúbal (muscat). Aged for up to 50 years, sometimes more, it is truly world class with intense flavours of orange blossom, honey and dried fruits with great complexity. Other wines of note include Castelão, a native red which flourishes here, and Fernão Pires, the most common light-skinned grape variety in Portugal.

  Climate and Geography

  The climate is as Mediterranean as it gets, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The average annual humidity is high due to the proximity of the sea, which also provides much needed cooling effects, particularly during the warmer months. Much of the region is flat with sandy soils. The main exception is Serra da Arrábida, a short chain of mountains running along the south coast, which is primarily made up of limestone. It is on these slopes that the famous Moscatel de Setúbal wines are made.

  

  Red Varieties

  Castelão, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Araggonez, Trincadeira Preta

  

  White Varieties

  Moscatel de Setúbal, Fernão Pires, Arinto, Chardonnay

  

  Climate

  Hot

  

  Geography

  Flat

  

  Soil

  Limestone, sand

  Shop Portuguese Wines

• Tejo

  

  An Introduction to Tejo

  Tejo is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the country. Known locally as ‘the land of the vineyards’, it’s clearly one you should know about. Vineyards were traditionally planted along the coast, where viticulture is a natural fit for the climate, allowing winemakers to produce easy-drinking, gentle and fruity vino in bulk. In recent years however, some wineries have relocated further inland where conditions are a little trickier, in the quest to create more complex, quality wines in smaller yields. New vineyards can be found in the drier Charneca area where wine of a higher standard is achievable. Touriga Nacional and Tempranillo are popular red varieties here, while for white it’s Albarino and Verdehlo.

  Climate and Geography

  River Tagus runs through the centre of Tejo, and flows down the centre of Portugal. By the river, the climate is almost semi-arid, meaning winemakers need to take extra care in looking after their vines to ensure the grapes have everything they need to survive the heat. Closer to the coast, where Tejo’s original vines were planted, the climate is maritime and gentle on the grapes, allowing for early and easy ripening and bulk production. The soil in this region ranges from rich, alluvial sand to clay and limestone, meaning viticulture differs throughout the region.

  

  Red Varieties

  Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Castelão, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo)

  

  White Varieties

  Verdelho, Albariño, Arinto, Fernão Pires

  

  Climate

  Maritime

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Alluvial, sand

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Lisboa

  

  An Introduction to Lisboa

  Situated just north-west of Portugal’s pretty, pastel-coloured capital city, Lisboa is the country’s second largest wine producing region. You may have heard it referred to as Estremadura, which was its name up until 2008. As the region that produces vino in bulk for the tourists flocking to Lisbon every year, this area is known for favouring grape varieties that grow in high volumes and are robust enough to resist diseases. A variety of wine styles and qualities are produced from over 30 different grape types, including classic Portuguese varieties Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo). Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot also do very well here, as do most white varieties.

  Climate and Geography

  Lisboa stretches along the Atlantic coast, so benefits from fresh sea breezes across its vineyards. These cooling winds help to keep temperatures down in a region that experiences its fair share of hot weather. The mist that appears at night naturally irrigates the plants, allowing healthy vines to grow despite the lack of rainfall. The limestone in the sandy soil creates wonderfully vibrant and juicy wines, ideal for pairing with food and enjoying in the bars and restaurants of the capital city.

  

  Red Varieties

  Castelão, Tinta Miúda, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira

  

  White Varieties

  Arinto, Fernão Pires, Malvasia, Seara-Nova, Vital

  

  Climate

  Mediterranean

  

  Landscape

  Hilly

  

  Soil

  Limestone, sand

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Beira Atlantico

  

  An Introduction to Beira Atlantico (Bairrada)

  With wine production dating all the way back to the Roman times, Beira Atlantico is a region that knows what it’s doing when it comes to viticulture. In the north, you’ll find big, punchy reds with notes of blackcurrant and bell pepper, as well as plentiful tannins. These are mostly made from local grape variety Baga, which occupies 85% of all red plantings in the entire region. In recent years, international red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah have been allowed in the region, joining the likes of Touriga Nacional in Beira Atlantico’s vineyards. White wines are made from Chardonnay as well as a number of local varieties, and tend to be light and aromatic with high acidity. You’ll also find some superb floral sparkling wines from this region, including some unusual red fizz too!

  Climate and Georgraphy

  Beira Atlantico has a Mediterranean, temperate climate with hot summers and long, cold winters. The clay terrain is mostly flat and relatively low maintenance, making it good for vineyard plantings. Easterly winds drift in from the Atlantic keeping the vines cool in the summer heat, and the rainfall here is also influenced by the region’s proximity to the ocean. All in all, the weather and landscape here is pretty kind to winemakers.

  

  Red Varieties

  Baga, Touriga Nacional, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo)

  

  White Varieties

  Bical, Fernão Pires, Cercial, Sercialinho, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

  

  Climate

  Mediterranean

  

  Landscape

  Flat

  

  Soil

  Clay

  Shop Portuguese Wine

• Vinho Verde

  

  An Introduction to Vinho Verde

  Although by no means the most famous, this is actually the biggest Portuguese wine producing region. Outside of Portugal, Vinho Verde is known mostly for its white wines, which tend to be fresh and floral with naturally high acidity. The six grape varieties that dominate here are Azal, Avesso, Arinto, Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura. Many of Vinho Verde’s vineyards have been modernised in recent years, moving away from the old fashioned approach of letting vines grow wildly up trees, to organised rows of vines that maximise exposure to sunlight and cooling breezes. These healthier grapes have allowed winemakers in Vinho Verde to really up their game, and the impressive increase in quality is very noticeable.

  Climate and Geography

  A patchwork of luscious green fields, mountain ranges and golden beaches, Vinho Verde is home to some of Portugal’s most scenic vineyards. It has a cool, much wetter climate than other regions across Portugal due to its north-westerly location, however it’s these cooler temperatures that create such naturally high levels of acidity in the white grapes. This area of Portugal also receives more rainfall than other regions, meaning vines here do not have to battle to find the hydration they need to grow. Instead, the granite soils along the green river valleys are extremely fertile, providing ideal conditions for viticulture.

  

  Red Varieties

  Alvarelhão, Amaral, Borraçal, Espadeiro, Padeiro, Pedral, Rabo de Anho, Vinhão

  

  White Varieties

  Alvarinho, Arinto Avesso, Azal, Loureiro, Trajadura

  

  Climate

  Cool

  

  Landscape

  Mountainous

  

  Soil

  Granite, sand, schist, slate, clay

  Shop Portuguese Wine

Explore Other Wine Regions

Spain

France

Italy

England

Related Articles

Portugal – A Bang On-Trend Region!

Six Sensational Summer Cocktails with Croft Pink Port

Diving into the Wonderful World of Verdelho