Wine Countries & Regions
Portugal
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Portugal
With a unique diversity of indigenous varieties and micro-terroirs, Portugal is a true wine-lover’s dreamland. For too long underappreciated and misunderstood, the country has finally met a newfound recognition of the true potential and character of its wines.
A vibrant community of winemakers is now reappraising the country’s viticultural history and making idiosyncratic pours at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.
Regions
Main Regions to Know
Douro
Undoubtedly the most famous of all Portuguese wine regions, with it’s impressive and sinuous landscape. Although the region’s reputation was built upon the production of fortified Port, Douro dry wines are increasingly being recognised for their character, structure and elegance.
Vinho Verde
Home to refreshing, mineral, Atlantic-influenced white pours with subtle aromatics and crisp acidity. Vinho Verde reds, although lesser known, are also delightful.
Dão
A favourite among collectors and terroir-geeks due to the high-altitude sites on decomposing granite and schist soils. The once over-powering reds are giving way to lighter styles that focus on this mineral profile.
Bairrada
A region that a lot of winemakers love, home to Baga, a local grape from which super elegant reds and crisp sparkling wines are made. It has become a sandbox for winemakers from other regions (and countries!) who fall in love with the potential of the myriad old vineyards.
Lisboa
The region that has the country’s capital as epicentre is made of a lively community of young winemakers pushing the boundaries of Portuguese winemaking. The region’s whites, grown on fossil-rich limestone soils have become wine bar favourites worldwide. It is also within Lisbon’s area that Colares, a rare sweet oxidised wine made from Malvasia Fina, is produced from but a few hectares of vineyards.
Alentejo
In the south of the country, known for robust table reds, Alentejo is home to many ancient vineyards and field-blends. The region’s white wines are also gaining recognition for their robustness and structure. The region has a very old tradition of wines fermented in clay (called locally as ‘Talhas’) which is seeing an important revival.
Island Regions
Madeira
Home of the most sough-after and long-lived fortified wines in the world come from Madeira. Their intensity and characteristic flavour profile are not for everyone, but once you understand their specificity and the labour that goes into their production it’s hard not to fall in love. Terrantez, Verdelho, Sercial and Malvasia are the local varieties that go into these precious nectars.
Azores
This archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic has a fascinating and challenging volcanic terroir where vineyards are grown in intricate systems of stone walls that protect the plants from ocean winds. With such harsh growing conditions and limited vineyard area, the Azorean wines are as limited as they are unique. Mineral, salty, elegant – all the island characters in a glass!
History
A Brief History of Portugese Wine
Portugal boasts one of the oldest and most well-documented wine traditions in the world. In 1756, the Douro Valley became the birthplace of one of wine history’s first examples of geographical delimitation, when the Portuguese Prime Minister defined strict boundaries around the region’s vineyards to protect the authenticity of Port wine.
Until the 1980s, Portugal remained relatively isolated, both geographically and politically, which meant its viticulture evolved largely undisturbed by international trends. This preserved the country’s distinct grape varieties and traditional styles. The notable exception was the Port industry, which had long been shaped by the British merchant community.
With the opening of international markets in the late 1980s and early 1990s, many producers initially turned to global trends, planting international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Chardonnay in hopes of broader appeal.
However, the past two decades have brought a renewed appreciation for Portugal’s native grapes and historical styles. Encouraged by growing interest from international critics and consumers, winemakers have returned their focus to what truly sets Portuguese wine apart: its incredible diversity of terroirs and its wealth of indigenous grape varieties.
Remarkably, such a small country can offer such a rich mosaic of regional identities, each rooted in its own local traditions and unique sense of place.
Grape Varieties
Top Red Grape Varieties
1. Touriga Nacional
Often considered Portugal’s flagship red variety. Known for its deep colour, structure, and floral aromas. A key varietal in Port and quality dry reds.
2. Touriga Franca
Widely planted in the Douro Valley. Offers elegance, fruitiness, and softness. Commonly blended with Touriga Nacional in Port and still wines.
3. Tinta Roriz (also known as Tempranillo in Spain)
Versatile, early-ripening red grape with balanced tannins and acidity. Widely grown across regions like Alentejo and Douro.
4. Trincadeira
Often found in hot regions like Alentejo. Offers spicy, herbal notes and vibrant acidity.
5. Castelão (also called Periquita)
Common in southern Portugal, especially Setúbal Peninsula. Known for its rustic charm and ageing potential.
6. Baga
Native to Bairrada. High in acidity and tannin, capable of producing age-worthy, structured reds.
Top White Grape Varieties
1. Fernão Pires (also known as Maria Gomes in Bairrada)
The most planted white grape in Portugal. Aromatic and versatile, used in many styles.
2. Arinto
Crisp and mineral-rich, often used to add freshness in blends. Common in Bucelas, Tejo, and Vinho Verde.
3. Alvarinho (also known as Albariño in Spain)
Grown primarily in the Vinho Verde region (especially Monção and Melgaço). Produces aromatic, high-acid whites with citrus and stone fruit notes.
4. Encruzado
Native to the Dão region. Offers elegance, balance, and great ageing potential, often likened to fine white Burgundy.
5. Antão Vaz
A common varietal in Alentejo. Full-bodied, tropical, and well-suited for warmer climates.
Classification System
DOC or DOP: What Do They Mean?
DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada) and DOP (Denominação de Origem Protegida) are the highest classifications for Portuguese wines, equivalent to the French AOC or Italian DOCG. The two terms are used interchangeably:
DOC
This is the traditional term that is still widely used in Portugal.
DOP
This is the EU’s standardised term for food and beverage. You will also see this term in cheeses and olive oil!
What do DOC mean for Portuguese wines?
Portugal currently has 31 DOCs, each representing distinct terroirs and traditional styles.
When you see DOC on a Portuguese wine label, it means that the wine is a product of a specific region, adhering to strict quality controls, and is considered to be of a higher quality within the Portuguese wine classification system. Only the approved grape varieties within the strict geographical boundaries can be used to make those specific wines. The wine is made in a particular winemaking practice and went through a panel tasting and lab testing before approval.
Example: Vinho Verde DOC
Taking Vinho Verde DOC as an example, wines must originate from the Minho region in northwest Portugal. All white wines must be made from approved white varieties such as Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Loureiro and Trajadura. The alcoholic strength by volume must be at least 9 % if the wine label indicates the subregion name, and it must be 11.5 % if it is showing “Alvarinho” on the label.
IGP (Indicação Geográfica Protegida) or IG (Geographical Indication)
This is the category just below DOC/DOP.
Traditionally called Vinho Regional (VR), Portugal has 14 IGP regions. IGP rules are more flexible than DOC, ideal for producers who work on international varieties or non-traditional blends.
Despite being less strict, many high-quality wines are classified as IGP because producers want creative freedom outside DOC rules.
Vinho (Wine without Geographical Indication)
Vinho refers to table wine without a protected origin. It’s the most basic classification. There are no regional, varietal, or vintage restrictions. It is typically used for everyday consumption domestically or for experimental wines.
Port Wine Styles
Port is a fortified wine exclusively produced in the Douro Valley, then aged in Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto. It is made by adding grape spirit (aguardente) partway through fermentation, preserving natural sweetness.
1. White Port
Made from white grapes, usually Malvasia Fina, it can be dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. They are aged in stainless steel or wood, depending on the style. Portuguese love to mix white port with tonic and some fresh mint as their aperitifs. However, if you come across a vintage white port or a 10-year-old white port, appreciate it like a white wine. Serve it chilled without ice or mixer, it deserves to be enjoyed solely!
2. Ruby Port vs Tawny Port
- Style: Fresh, fruity, deep red vs Nutty, oxidative, amber-brown
- Ageing: Aged in large vats (minimal oxygen) vs Aged in small barrels (with controlled oxygen exposure!)
- Flavour: Dark fruit, chocolate vs Caramel, nuts, dried fruits
3. Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) vs Vintage Port
- Both are from a single vintage
- Ageing: 4–6 years vs No more than 3 years. Both aged in barrels!
- Ready to drink upon release vs Require bottle ageing (some require decades!)
For Vintage Ports, producers must declare the vintage in advance and get approval from IVDP before they can label the wine as “Vintage Port”. Producers only declared in exceptional years!
4. Colheita Port
A Tawny Port made from a single vintage. They are aged in barrel for at least 7 years (often much longer), developing noticeable oxidative characters such as nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, caramel and toffee.
