Portugališkas vynas

Portuguese wines

Portuguese wines - the fortified Port and Madeira, the lightly sparkling white Vinho Verde or the long-lived Douro red - are unique, unlike anywhere else in the world, and are therefore much loved by wine enthusiasts. There are 14 wine regions in Portugal, the most famous being the Douro Valley, Bairrada, Vinho Verde, Madeira and Alentejo. Each region produces local grape varieties with distinctive characteristics: 'Alvarinho', 'Loureiro', 'Antao Vaz' for fresh and rich whites and fortified whites, 'Touriga Nacional', 'Tinta Roriz', 'Touriga Franca' for different styles of red and fortified whites. Portuguese wine is not only great tasting but also a good value.

Portugal's most famous wine regions and their differences  

The 14 wine regions have distinct climates and different grape varieties.  

The Vinho Verderegion in the north-west has a cool climate and produces a fresh, light, low-alcohol, gently sparkling wine known as green wine (port: vinho verde). The white grapes 'Alvarinho' and 'Loureiro' grow here. The wine made from them is perfect on a warm summer's day or with seafood.  

The Douro Valley is Portugal's largest wine region, stretching inland from the city of Porto along the Douro River. The grapes are grown on steep, schist-covered slopes on terraces. The region has many very old vineyards. The Doro region is known throughout the world for its port, a robust, fortified, sweet wine in which the main grape variety is 'Touriga Nacional'. Recently, the best port producers have also been making very good red wine.

The Bairrada region has been growing rapidly in popularity in recent years. The climate in the north-west of the region is influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean.  The Bairrada region is renowned for its sparkling wine production, accounting for two thirds of Portuguese sparkling wine, and the town of Anadia has even been nicknamed the sparkling wine capital. The region also produces weighty, structured and tannic red wines. The most famous grape in the region is 'Baga', from which red wines are produced. The white indigenous grapes are 'Maria Gomes', 'Cercial' and 'Bical'.

The Dão region is one of Portugal's oldest wine regions, located in the central part of the country, between the Bairada and the Douro. The grapes are grown on steep slopes and the region is famous for its port production and the 'Touriga Nacional' grape.  

In the south there is an even greater variety of Portuguese wine. The Alentejo region has a hot climate, which makes it ideal for the production of full-bodied, concentrated wines with good ageing potential. In addition to Portuguese grapes, the Alentejo also produces French 'Syrah' grapes.  

On the island of Madeira, winemakers produce Madeira, an exceptional fortified wine with one of the longest lives in the world.  The island's subtropical climate means that its vineyards grow on terraces on volcanic soil. The traditional method of Port production is used: the wine barrels are exposed to the sun for long periods of time, resulting in aromas of roasted nuts, caramel, peaches, hazelnuts and orange peel.

Portugal's most famous wine - Port  

Port is a fortified, sweet Portuguese wine for which the grapes are grown in northern Portugal, in the Douro valley. Since the 18th century, port has been traded by the city of Porto. This is the origin of the wine's name. The wine is made from dozens of grape varieties, the most famous being 'Touriga Nacional', 'Tinta Roriz ('Tempranillo'), 'Tinta Cão', 'Tinta Barroca' and 'Touriga Franca'.  

Port is divided into many types: ruby, tawny, white port, vintage port and LBV (late-bottled vintage port). Port is a sweet wine with aromas of raspberries, blackberries, caramel, cinnamon and chocolate. It goes well with desserts and blue cheese.  

The most popular Portuguese grape varieties are 'Touriga Nacional' and 'Alvarinho' 

'Touriga Nacional' is the most popular Portuguese grape variety. 'Touriga Nacional' grapes are very small and dark, and are commonly used for impressive and powerful wines, especially port, with cherry and black berry aromas and concentrated flavours.

The grapes grow well in warm and dry environments and the wine is characterised by intense fruit aromas, subtle spices and excellent ripening potential. Touriga Nacional is the most appreciated grape variety in Portugal.

'Alvarinho' is a white grape variety grown mainly in the north-west of Portugal (Viña Verde) and in Galicia (north-west Spain). In Portugal it is called 'Alvarinho', sometimes 'Cainho Branco' and in Galicia 'Albariño'.

'Alvarinho' grapes are grown using a system of pergolas - arches. The variety is not susceptible to disease, so the pergola allows large areas of grapes to get more sun and wind, but it means that the grapes have to be picked by hand.  

'Alvarinho' has a fresh aroma of apple, peach and passion fruit. Notes of lychee and citrus are also present. One of the most important characteristics of 'Alvarinho' is its minerality. This wine is usually consumed young, but has the potential to mature.  

The benchmark of Portuguese wines - Niepoort 

To get to know the wide range of Portuguese wine, you can start with Niepoort winery. In 2023, their winemaker Dirk Niepoort was awarded the Decanter Hall of Fame Award for his contribute in winemaking industry. Niepoort produces excellent value white, red, sparkling and natural wines.