- Introduction to the history of Portuguese wine.
- The birth of fame around some Portuguese wines.
- The most expensive Portuguese wines.
- Portuguese regions and protected designation of origins (DOC, Denominação de Origem Controlada).
For each region, we will discuss :
- Terroir : Geography, characteristics and main grape varieties.
- The regional stars : the big groups with international clout and the most famous labels.
- Food and wine pairing. For which dish or flavour is this or that wine suitable ? This is the perfect section if you are wondering which Portuguese wine to buy and at what price ?
- We will finish with the recommendations of our oeno-gastronomist Sofia Santos.
As our thirst for curiosity is not satisfied, we wanted to explore the world of Portuguese wines. As guides, we do not want to limit ourselves to Port wines and vinhos verdes ! As gourmets, we want to generate the desire to discover new horizons. This guide to Portuguese wines would not have been as complete without the help of these two expert advisors. They have proofread and approved this text for its veracity and completeness. For this we thank them very much !
Sofia Santos
Oeno-gastronomist
Sylvain
Wine guide for VisitmyLisbon
This post is a follow-up to the monthly tastings we organise and to our exclusive wine tour in Lisbon. You can also try our selection of wine bars in Lisbon.
The first vines were probably planted by the Phoenicians and Greeks (7th century BC). They were found more precisely on the banks of the Tagus, near Santarem, well upstream from the banks of Lisbon. When the Romans arrived, they appreciated the initiative of their predecessors. Although they liked to drink wine with spices, the Romans were fine connoisseurs. Rome praised the structure, finesse and superior quality of Lusitanian wines.
Later, during the occupation of the Moors (8th-13th century), wine production in the peninsula declined, but some vineyards resisted, especially in the Tagus region.
After the Catholic conquest, Portuguese vineyards recovered. The religious orders were the first to promote the expansion and refine the processes for making the « Blood of Christ ».
« Already in the time of Dom Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal), the crusaders who came to Portugal on their way to the Holy Land were enchanted by the quality of our wonderful wines. »
Successive kings took it in turns to pamper, protect and care for the vineyards while increasing production capacity, which is the pride of the country today.
From the 15th century onwards, the reputation of Portuguese wine quickly spread beyond its borders. Supported by personalities, decrees, contracts, and foreign trading posts, Portuguese wine had intrinsic qualities that were on the rise.
The international reputation of Iberian wine was born in the north of Portugal.
The export of Portuguese wines began during the reign of King Fernando (14th century). Monção wine, better known today as vinho verde, began a dense and regular export. We will talk about it again in our analysis of the « green wine » region.
In the 17th century, with the monopoly on the spice trade, merchants from all over Europe flocked to the port of Lisbon. Among them were the great cod fishermen : the English. They came to trade their catch for all sorts of spices and oriental products. The English settled in Portugal, as did many other nationalities.
Very soon, Portugal was no longer the only country to follow Vasco da Gama’s route. This time, the spice trade was controlled at source by other nations (the English, but especially the Dutch). The English trading posts in Portugal had to bring other goods to England in order to survive… This was Minho wine sent to England via the port of Viana do Castelo. Despite the high taxes on wines from Portugal, Spain and the Orient, this wine remained competitive on the market.
The Portuguese were particularly fond of praising the good taste of the English in order to flatter themselves discreetly !
In the middle of the 17th century, everything changed. The English and Portuguese, who had always been friends (the Windsor alliance treaty of 1386 is still in force today), established trade links with preferential taxes. Shortly afterwards, news broke in France that French wine would no longer be exported (an embargo put in place by Colbert in 1667 or a boycott by the English, depending on one’s point of view).
It was in the 18th century, and more precisely in 1703, that the Treaty of Methuen (English woollens against Portuguese wines) marked the beginning of half a century of prosperity. The latter would gradually give way to speculation and smuggling…
In 1756, the Marquis of Pombal, the strongman who put Lisbon back on its feet after the earthquake, imposed the installation of granite stones to delimit the area where Port wine was produced. The first DOC was thus created. The Companhia Geral De Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro had a monopoly on the export of not only Port Wine, but also vinegar and brandy.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the boundaries of the other regions of Portugal appeared : Vinhos Verdes, Dão, Colares, Carcavelos, Moscatel, Madeira…
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Click on the markers to find out the characteristics of each wine region in Portugal :
Click to see the characteristics of each wine region in Portugal :
Geography and characteristics of the Vinho Verde terroir
The Vinho Verde region corresponds roughly to the Minho region. Humidity, low thermal amplitude and a strong Atlantic exposure make it a special region. The relief is dense and several mountains around 1300-1400 meters of altitude make up the east of the region : Maraõ, Geres, Peneda, D’Alvão, Cabreira…
In the north as well as in the centre, the mountains are of lower altitude, mostly between 500 and 1000 metres. The Minho region is named after the river of the same name. It is crossed by 5 major rivers in Portugal : the Minho, the Lima, the Cavado, the Ave and the Douro.
The main cities are Porto, Viana do Castelo, Braga and Aveiro.
The way vines are grown in this region is unusual. Long and high, the vines are harvested from the top of large ladders. Imagine the complexity ! It is called enforcado and grows like hops, so to speak. The other peculiarity is called ramada, which corresponds to a tunnel of vines where one often harvests with one’s arms in the air. It should be noted that in Minho, winegrowers only owned a very small plot of land: « 80% of winegrowers produced an average of 2,500 litres of wine in the 1980s on plots of less than 3 hectares. »
These winegrowing techniques are common but are now often replaced by cruzetas : a mechanised harvesting technique.
Main grape varieties :
Whites : Alvarinho, Loureiro, Trajadura, …
Reds : Azal Tinto, Borraçal, Espadeiro…
Over the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 500,000 and 900,000 hectolitres per year, i.e. between 10 and 17% of the national production (6 to 7 million hectolitres) according to the 2018 data from the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho).
Regional stars, pairing and our Vinho Verde suggestions
A particularity of the Vinho Verde designation is that it is the only one registered with the World Industrial Property Organisation in Geneva. This implies a great responsibility in the sustained effort to improve the quality of the wine and maintain its already acquired reputation.
The regional stars of Vinho Verde.
Who are the leaders of this region that can be found all over the world ? I have listed them in order of preference, starting with my favourites :
- Soalheiro
- Aveleda
- Pluma, Pluma Alvarinho (Casa Santos Lima)
- Muralhas
- Casal Garcia
Vinho Verde wine and food pairing.
Very popular in hot weather and often at midday, the whites are always famous for their thirst-quenching quality (low alcohol content, fruity, naturally fresh…). In addition, it is important to note their high lactic acid content due to malolactic fermentation. This will sometimes give rise to a slight addition of carbon dioxide, due to this characteristic transformation of white vinho verde.
- With the oysters that are served without counting, you need a cheap wine like Aveleda.
- Palacio Da Brejoeira Alvarinho Vinho Verde goes well with seafood, especially shrimp mayonnaise.
- My favourite for grilled fish is a Soalheiro alvarinho.
- You can dare for a pairing with strong cheeses when they have been in the barrel, like the Nostalgia reserva.
Our suggestions for Vinho Verde, depending on the budget.
Qualitatively, specialist magazines and websites praise the following white wines :
For the reds, here are a few without score. It should be borne in mind that the other regions have a much wider range and a much greater reputation :
The espumantes (sparkling wines) on the other hand are moving upmarket :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Vinho Verde :
Geography and characteristics of the Trás-Os-Montes region
The Trás-Os-Montes wine region corresponds to the eponymous region located in the north-east of Portugal.
Altitude, humidity and cool temperatures allow the wines of Trás-Os-Montes to express a suppleness, even a certain poetry. I admit to having a soft spot for the wines of these lands and the following wines :
« D’onde são as cepas que tão bom vinho dão
São das Arcas e Muzelos, Vilarinho e Agrochão »
Translation : « where the grape varieties that give such good wines come from. They are from Arcas and Muzelos, Vilarinho de Agrochão« .
Tràs-Os-Montes produces radically different wines to its Vinho Verde and Douro (pronounced Dowrou) neighbours. Trás-Os-Montes is mostly high schist plateaus. Rich in streams, the land provides the vines with a freshness that is beneficial to their aromas.
The main towns in this region are Chaves, Vila Real, Bragança and Vimioso. One wine boasts the highest vineyard in the country : Montalegre. It is an excellent value for money.
Their prices remain very accessible, hence my satisfaction to have on my table good Portuguese wines at low prices. And mainly from this region.
The main grape varieties :
Whites : Malvasia fina (Boal), Codega, Gouveio, Fernão Pires, Viosinho…
Reds : Bastardo, Tinta Amarela (trincadeira), Tinta Carvalha, Moreto, Tourigo, Alvarelhão…
Over the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 50 and 120,000 hectolitres per year. This is between 1 and 2% of the national production (6 to 7 million hectolitres) according to the 2018 data of the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 2018). By comparison, France and Italy produce 47 and 48 million hectolitres respectively.
Regional stars, pairing and our suggestions for Trás-Os-Montes
The regional stars of Trás-Os-Montes wines.
It should be noted that this region does not have the notoriety of the Douro, Vinho Verde, or Alentejo wines. Therefore, they can only be found in wine shops in Portugal.
What are the leaders of this region that can be found in some restaurants in Lisbon ?
- Valle Pradinhos
- Flor do tua
- Quinta de Arcossó
- Quinta do Sobreiró
- Mont’alegre
- Headrock
- Quinta Serra d’Oura
The Trás-Os-Montes food/wine pairing.
These Portuguese wines are my favourite in terms of value for money. Excellent and affordable, they are easy and enjoyable. The young whites are fruity and light. The reserve reds know how to be greedy and spicy.
They have long been shunned in the country but not in the region ! A wine that doesn’t have a selling DOC doesn’t mean it’s any less good, and that’s what makes the wines of Trás-Os-Montes a very good prospect.
The characteristic lightness of these wines (white or red) makes them perfect table wines. Their freshness makes them suitable for the warmer seasons. Their versatility makes them suitable for all occasions and therefore for all dishes.
I would recommend favouring inexpensive wines, and, to match, cooking :
- Meat dishes (grilled meats) for the reds : Mont’alegre red classico.
- Mixed and hearty salads for the white, which will be a perfect contrast with its light fruity acidity rich in citrus fruits: Mont’alegre white classico.
- These wines are convivial and can be shared with pleasure and without counting the cost. Their price allows it.
With a nice piece of meat in the oven for distinguished guests, the bottle should be matched to the beauty of the table. In a decanter, a Valle Pradinhos Grande Reserva will always live up to the esteem in which you hold your connoisseur friends. Moreover, its colour goes very well with silverware and a white tablecloth.
Our suggestions for Trás-Os-Montes, depending on your budget.
Let’s start with the white wines and then the red wines :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for the Trás-Os-Montes :
Geography and characteristics of the Douro's terroir.
The Douro region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is today the most famous Portuguese wine region, especially for Port (an easy name for the wine made in the Douro, aged in Vila nova da Gaia and then sent to England…). This is the region on the banks of the Douro River. It owes its great fame to the Franco-English disagreement but above all to the friendship between the English and the Portuguese. To guarantee quality and maintain a flourishing trade, the Douro region was the very first to be demarcated in Portugal in 1756 (the Portuguese like to say of the world, but the Medicis had already protected their famous Carmignano in Tuscany). Under the control of the « Companhia Geral de Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro » set up by the Marquis of Pombal, the export will be of high quality and will preserve the purity and authenticity of Douro wine.
The production comes from large wet or dry valleys, depending on the season, so that in the Douro there are two seasons, summed up by the old adage: nine months of winter and three months of hell.
Yet the extreme conditions are essential to the making of this famous wine. The terraces of vines dripping down to the river form a unique panorama that is unforgettable when you have had the chance to cycle along them. The clay and shale rock and the sunny slopes offer a good balance for growing quality but poor quantity grapes. While it is easy to imagine that the Douro vineyards form a quasi-monoculture, the region is also famous for its olive trees and fruit trees.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cao, Trincadeira, Bastardo, tinta Roriz (Aragonez), Sousão, Alicante Bouschet…
Whites : Gouveio, Malvasia fina, Rabigato, Arinto, Fernão Pires, Cerceal, Viosinho, Bical…
In the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 1,250,000 and 1,650,000 hectolitres per year. That is between 21 and 24% of the national production (6 to 7 million hectolitres) according to the 2018 data of the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 2018). By comparison, France and Italy produce 47 and 48 million hectolitres respectively.
The regional stars, the pairing and our suggestions of wines from the Douro region.
The regional stars of Douro wines :
As the Douro is Portugal’s flagship region, it is difficult to limit oneself to a number of good bottles. I would therefore favour the ones I have tasted even if these strong wines (14.5º) are not my favourites.
The references in the following list can be found absolutely everywhere and can be drunk on any occasion.
What are the leaders of this region that can be found in any wine shop in the world ?
- Duas quintas
- Casa Ferreirinha
- Vila real
- Quinta da Pacheca
- Mateus
- Niepoort
- Prats e Symington
- Carm
- Duorum
- And of course all the Port wine cellars…
The Douro food/wine pairing.
This is the largest producing region and it is difficult to collect so many references. So I recommend you try the ones from your wine shop. In any case, here are my must-haves :
- Grilled fish, olive oil, lemon, steamed vegetables: Planalto.
- Fish in foil, flavoured rice: Muxagat.
- Oven-baked rib of beef, chips : Conceito.
- Grilled pork with caramelised onions: Proibido grande reserva.
Our suggestions of Douro wines, according to the budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds :
There are many wines in this category. I have selected wines that are accessible in terms of price and that are characteristic of the terroir of the region. The most expensive wines you will find in the introduction of this post. I have favoured indigenous grape varieties (for the whole article, this idea takes priority).
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for the Douro :
Geography and characteristics of the Tavora e Varosa region
Located on the edge of the Douro region, the Tavora and Varosa region is distinguished by the superior quality of its wines. The DOC « Távora-Varosa » is a very small but relevant appellation, especially for the production of sparkling wines. Fresh white wines and sweet reds are also produced here.
The land, located at the foot of the Serra da Nave, between the Paiva and Távora rivers, has been occupied by humans since the dawn of time. The Cistercian monks left an important legacy in the history of the region, notably with the monastery of Sao João de Tarouca, the first to be built in the Iberian Peninsula in the 12th century.
With vineyards at altitude (between 500 and 800 metres) facing south, the soils are mainly granitic, poor in limestone and organic matter. The climate is continental and dry, with harsh winters (very cold and wet), a unique condition in Portugal. The perfect harmony between climate and soil gives this region the most suitable conditions in Portugal for wine production.
The main grape varieties for Távora and Varosa :
Reds : Aragonez, pinot noir, tinta barroca, touriga franca, touriga nacional.
Whites : Bical, cerceal, chardonnay, gouveio-real, malvasia fina, verdelho
The regional stars, the pairing and our suggestions of wines from the Tavora e Varosa region.
The regional stars of Tavora and Varosa wines.
The stars of this region are without question the sparkling wines. For aperitifs with bubbles, the most famous wines are Murganheira (Czar Grand Cuvée Rosé Brut) and Raposeira (Super Reserva Bruto). All this for a small budget.
The food/wine pairing of the Tavora and Varosa region.
The whites are generally smooth, very fresh, fruity with a citrus aroma and flavour. The reds that are not close to the Douro Valley are open, fresh, less full-bodied and not very acidic. The more time passes, the more their aromas reveal themselves.
This is a little-known region and consumption (except for sparkling wines) is essentially local. Nevertheless, here are some interesting references :
- Lamb chops will go very well with a Tempo Largo tinto.
- A perfect white for seafood or cold meats : Decisão Reserva Branco.
- Strong cheese for dessert ? Poiesis Touriga Nacional Tinto.
- Another sparkling wine for dessert : Boa Parte Espumante bruto.
Geography and characteristics of the Dão region.
This is a region that I love above all else. Little known to the people, Dão wines are now gaining a good reputation among experts and, above all, a large share of the specialist retailers’ shelves. If Dão wines are very trendy today (they can be found on the tables of the great Michelin-starred restaurants), they could already boast, in the middle of the last century, of having the best table wines in the country.
Preserved since 1390 under the reign of Joao I, the region is crossed by a river, the Dão, and another river, the Mondego. Its soil is mainly granite. Surrounded on both sides by massifs (Serra da estrela, Caramulo, Lousa, Bussaco, Açor, Nave), the Dão valley is protected from maritime influences (humid masses of the coast) or Iberian influences (winds). These natural barriers also give it a coolness at night that is the envy of regions that do not have this topography and these water lines.
The pleasure of writing these lines brings me to the mouth some round and vanilla notes of a well-chambered Casa de Santar.
I was not surprised to find one of the largest tasting areas dedicated to Dão wines during my visit to the Grandes Escolhas wine magazine show. I spent most of my tasting there without being able to leave for 5 hours.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro (nicknamed for its similarities to the Portuguese Pinot Noir), Jaen, Aragonez and Rufete.
Whites : Encruzado, Bical, Cercial Branco and Malvasia Fina.
In the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 160,000 and 350,000 hectolitres per year (compared to an average of 455,000 hectolitres in the 1980s), according to 2018 data from the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 2018). Recent years have been less prolific due to the terrible fires of 2017.
The regional stars, pairing and our suggestions of wines from the Dão region.
The regional stars of Dão wines :
Few are the lucky ones that can claim international fame, but at the national level, some are real behemoths and are sold abundantly in all restaurants, from the tasca to the most stuffy restaurants. This is notably the case of the first three :
- Cabriz
- Grão Vasco
- Casa de Santar
- Aliança
- Quinta dos Carvalhais
- Quinta da Pelada
Don’t hesitate to keep them as they have an exceptional capacity for ageing.
The Dão food/wine pairing.
These wines are perfect for all occasions.
Here are some typical dishes with Dão wines that I recommend :
- Cabrito Assado (roasted young goat) : Quinta do Perdigão Alfrocheiro.
- Pizza margherita (super typical on a lazy evening, but not with a 4 cheese !) : Meia encosta.
- Baked vegetables with couscous : Quinta das Marias encruzado.
- Lamb chops, pan-fried spinach with garlic : Antonio Madeira, vinhas velhas red 2017.
Our suggestions of Dão wines, according to the budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds :
I would like to point out that the old vines were not organised in 1995. Neglected, abandoned or voluntarily not classified, they are composed, for the reds of the Dão, of numerous autochthonous grape varieties (Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Baga, Touriga Nacional…) in varied proportions.
As the wines of the Dao are not unaffordable, I have chosen a selection that is not very expensive.
If you really want to treat yourself, I would like to highlight a producer who deserves to be mentioned: Antonio Madeira. You will find him on the tables of some adventurous but far from crazy Michelin starred restaurants.
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Dão :
Geography and characteristics of the Bairrada region.
The wines of the Bairrada are unfortunately not well known, but there are so many quality wines to be tasted ! During his reign, the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henrique, asked 1/4 of the production in exchange for his permission to plant vines there.
Long afterwards, several books mention the wines of Cantanhede, Mealhada and Anadia in a positive light.
With the advent of Port wines (18th century), a policy of uprooting the region was very detrimental. The export of Bairrada wines was prohibited (as were vinhos verdes and Dão wines), while Port wines experienced a huge boom with trade with the English.
Today, their sparkling wines are very famous in the country.
Among the most successful, I would like to mention the red wine Principal. Principal is today among the best wines in the country, and the only one that is not from the leading regions of Alentejo and Douro. The producer (Idealdrinks, a company owned by the Dias brothers) has called on the advice of the great oenologist Pascal Chatonnet. Pascal is an internationally renowned wine alchemist with several published and internationally acclaimed theses. The alliance of great businessmen and a Bordeaux wine expert has set the bar very high for this region which was lacking a headliner!
Finally, I cannot forget the famous Buçaco, whose wine is mentioned in the 19th century reference novel Os Maia. The Buçaco palace, lost in the eponymous forest, will delight fans of refinement and antiquity (architecture by Luigi Manini, early 20th century).
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Baga (50% must make up each blend), Castelao (Moreto), Tinta pinheira (=Rufete). Finally, provided that the variety does not make up more than 20% of the blend : Alfrocheiro, bastardo
Whites : Bical, Fernão Pires (Maria Gomes), Rabo de Ovelha (at least 60% of the blend). Finally, these must not exceed 40% of the blend : arinto, cerceal/cercealinho, chardonnay.
The regional stars, pairing and our suggestions of wines from the Bairrada.
The regional stars of Bairrada wines :
The still wines of the Bairrada are not widely available in traditional shops. Sparkling wines are well represented.
Here are some references that can be found without too much trouble in good Portuguese garrafeiras (wine shops) :
- Quinta das Bagueiras
- Principal
- Buçaco
- Luis Pato, a well-known personality in the region
- Quinta do poço do Lobo
The hardest thing is to buy them, because you don’t dare give them the recognition they deserve.
The Bairrada food and wine pairing.
There’s plenty to do with good bubbles as an aperitif, so let’s not skip them :
- Hot or cold aperitif : Quinta do poço do Lobo Chardonnay/Arinto 2015. At less than €10 a bottle, you can’t go without. This sparkling wine can even accompany a meal with smoked salmon, dill-lemon and pepper sauce.
- A more blinged-out aperitif (we like the blue-gold label) : M & M gold edition branco bruto.
- Leitão da bairrada : the famous suckling pig for a wedding meal. We recommend the Bairrada king : Principal.
- Pizza 4 cheeses, it’s serious ! Quinta das bageiras tinto reserva.
Our suggestions for Bairrada wines, according to budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, the sparkling wines and then we will finish with the reds :
I particularly like this wine region’s attachment to indigenous grape varieties. In fact, the certification institute requires that these make up more than half of the wine. The terroirs are what make us travel !
The power of the Bairrada reds, drawn from the rusticity of the Baga, will hold its promise for a meal of meats grilled, if possible, over a wood fire, charcoal or in the oven. The single-varietal Quinta das Bageiras Baga will be an extremely affordable first contact !
As for sparkling wines, champagne fans will be pleasantly surprised, if not stunned. All that’s left is to find an occasion to toast !
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Bairrada :
Geography and characteristics of the Beira Interior region.
The Beira Interior region is surrounded to the north by the Douro and Tras-Os-Montes wine regions, and to the west by the Dão. Beira Interior also shares some grape varieties with the latter.
Within the Beira Interior itself, we find different wines. We can distinguish two zones : Beira Alta, in the north, and Beira Baixa, in the south. The soil is mostly granitic, although there are some schist veins scattered throughout the territory.
The relief is very steep with the presence of the Serra da Estrela in the west. White and red wines go very well with the sheep’s cheese produced in the mountains. For winter, the sheep also give one of the most famous wools in Portugal : the wool of Burel. It warms the hearts and shoulders of people with good taste.
If you plan to tour the Beira Interior wineries, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the most beautiful villages in Portugal, most of which are in the region.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Rufete, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Baga.
Whites : Siria, Arinto, Fonte Cal, Fernão Pires and Malvasia Fina.
In the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 160,000 and 225,000 hectolitres per year, according to data in 2018 from the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 2018). As for Dão, recent years have been less prolific due to fires. By comparison, France and Italy produce 47 and 48 million hectolitres respectively.
The regional stars, the pairing and our suggestions of wines from the Beira Interior.
The regional stars of Beira Interior wines :
You can find them in few wine shops, except for Cardo, which is on the rise with the trend towards natural wines :
- Quinta do Cardo (famous organic wine).
- Convento de Aguiar
- Almeida Garrett
- Castelo Rodrigo DOC
- Quinta dos Termos
The food/wine pairing of the Beira Interior.
As these wines are located at the foot of the Serra da Estrela, I highlight local recipes :
- Fried parsnips as an aperitif or with meat : Quinta das senhoras branco.
- Aperitif with cheese from the Serra da Estrela (soft sheep) : Anselmo Mendes, vinhas velhas branco.
- Sopa da Beira (soup with cabbage, turnip, raw ham) : Quinta dos Termos reserva.
Our suggestions of Beira Interior wines, according to the budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds :
Paradoxically, in the Beira Interior, prices are affordable despite the small production.
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Beira Interior :
Geography and soil characteristics of the Lisbon region.
Ah Lisbon… If this city conquered me for its History, it took me some time to get into its wines !
Since 2019, we have been offering a wine tour of Lisbon, consisting of 6 tastings with bites. With historical content to better understand the wines of this region, this tour is undoubtedly the most successful on the market.
Formerly known as Estremadura (which included the Setubal Peninsula and the Tagus Valley), the region now encompasses many different DOCs.
It is therefore the most complex and hardest to tackle. It has 9 DOCs with their own extremely marked specificity. This makes it the most … eclectic region, let’s say. The most prestigious DOCs internationally and historically of great renown are :
- Bucelas : a fresh white lulled by the sea spray, Shakespeare’s sparkling wine!
- Colares : the longest kept. Nobody opens them for 10 years. 20 or 30 years is better !
- Lourinha : a brandy of incomparable quality.
- Carcavelos : Lisbon’s « Port » (only better) for a dessert or a digestive by the fireplace.
Here are the others that deserve to be mentioned :
- Encostas de Aire
- Alenquer
- Obidos
- Arruda
- Torres Vedras
See for yourself : each of these DOCs has its own specificities. It is therefore complicated to give a general description. Besides, from you to me, I think that the region is drowning out the deserved fame of some great wines that are as powerful as their tannins (Colares), as their dazzling sweetness (Carcavelos), as their fruity acidity (Bucelas), or as their roundness (Lourinha, brandy).
The Lisbon region has to rely on these pillars to gain a certain notoriety.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Touriga Nacional, Castelão, Aragonez, Tinta Miuda, Trincadeira, Ramisco (Colares).
Whites : Arinto, Fernão Pires, Seara Nova, Vital, Malvasia.
In the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 820,000 and 1,200,000 hectolitres per year. This is between 15% and 19% of the national production (6 to 7 million hectolitres) according to data in 2018 from the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 2018). This is a region where a lot of planting takes place !
The regional stars, pairing and our suggestions for Lisbon wines.
The Lisbon region offers a wide variety of wines. There are a few standout wines that stand out from the crowd and, overall, are taking an increasingly important share of the national production :
- Quinta de Sant’ana.
- Villa Oeiras (Carcavelos, a generous wine or fortified wine).
- Bucelas
- Casa Santos Lima (the best value for money).
- Quinta da Murta « the wine of Shakespeare »
- Vale de Capucha
- Quinta do gradil
- Mundus (the cheapest !)
- Dory
- Adega Mãe
- Quinta do Boiçao
- Quinta do Avelar
The Lisbon wine and food pairing.
As promised, a suggestion for a dish, a moment of pleasure with a Lisbon wine and its respective AOC :
- Cheese platter : Quinta do pinto, tinta miuda (AOC Alenquer).
- Black pork sausage (porco preto) : Quinta da Serradinha, baga, (the Pope of organic, AOC Encostas de Aire).
- Cold meat plate (chorizo, blood sausage, alheira…) : Quinta das cerejeiras reserva, (AOC Óbidos).
- To make a good sangria : Arruda DOC (AOC Arruda).
- Sautéed mushrooms in juice with lemon, white wine, butter and coriander: Vale de Capucha, Torres vedras Arinto N.V. (D.O. Torres Vedras).
- Oysters : Bucelas (D.O. Bucelas).
- Arroz de Pato (duck rice) : Colares, Viuva Gomes, reserva tinto 1965 (D.O. Colares).
- A cigar : Lourinha brandy (AOC Lourinha).
- Bonnat dark chocolate (Voiron) : Carcavelos wine (AOC Carcavelos). In Lisbon, you can find a good chocolate from Sao Tomé at Bettina e Niccolo Corallo (Principe Real) for €100 per kilo.
Our suggestions of Lisbon wines, according to the budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Lisbon wines :
Geography and characteristics of the terroir of the Tejo region.
On the eve of his death, legend has it that the famous wine merchant Abel Pereira da Fonseca said : « Meus filhos, não se esqueçam que até com uvas se pode fazer vinho »
I had this feeling about the Tejo region, which I know very little about. So I asked our expert Sofia for advice.
It is a young region (born in 1989) but also historically renowned (see introduction : the first vines in Portugal were planted there). The winegrowers of Tejo produce wine in large quantities (about 600,000 hectolitres, i.e. about 10% of the national production).
The area is not very large and is bounded by the towns of Tomar, Abrantes, Torres Novas and Coruche. The beauty of the landscape, apart from the Tagus, lies in the old quintas and their palaces which were the summer residences of the nobility.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Touriga Nacional, Castelão, Aragonez, Trincadeira.
Whites : Arinto, Fernão Pires, Chardonnay, Sauvignon.
In the last ten years, winegrowers have produced between 1,250,000 and 1,650,000 hectolitres per year. That is between 21 and 24% of the national production (6 to 7 million hectolitres) according to the 2018 data of the I.V.V. (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho 2018). By comparison, France and Italy produce 47 and 48 million hectolitres respectively.
The regional stars, the blend and our suggestions of wines from the Tejo region (Tagus).
The regional stars of Tejo wines.
Without further debate, here are the best known producers in the region :
- Quinta de Lagoalva
- Quinta da Lapa
- Quinta da Alorna
- Fiuza
- Dois Carvalhos
If the whites from Tejo are renowned, the reds are much better rated. Some of them border on the exceptional.
The Tejo food/wine pairing.
- Cod dish « à Bras » : Quinta da Alorna grande reserva.
- Clams with white wine, garlic, coriander and lemon sauce : Casal Branco Falcoaria Fernao Pires.
- Veal medallions in pierrade : Quinta da Lapa Santa Teresa d’Ávila Homenagem Reserva N.V.
Our suggestions for Tejo wines
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds. I will exceptionally add some Syrah in the grape varieties of the wines presented below:
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Tejo :
Geography and characteristics of the land of the Setubal peninsula.
A wine region that includes a peninsula and several climates can be envied. Its environment is superb. The peninsula of Setubal is surrounded by two rivers, the Tagus and the Sado. The luxuriant nature hides a surprising fauna. It is one of the best preserved nature reserves in Europe. The relief can be steep with immense cliffs or slightly undulating. This is the promise of beautiful hikes with views of the vineyards.
The climate is rather Mediterranean. The average thermal amplitudes are influenced by the two watersheds and the significant relief (in the south of the peninsula).
The pastures are abundant and the sheep graze peacefully. They provide the milk needed to make the famous Azeitão cheese. A creamy, full-flavoured delicacy that goes wonderfully well with the corn bread called Broa.
This wine-growing region has two distinct DOCs : Sétubal and Palmela.
It is home to some very large farms, or rather quintas, such as Bacalhoa and José Maria da Fonseca. The former is none other than the property of Mr. Berardo. A great philanthropist and collector, he also created the Belém Cultural Centre.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Castelão (periquita) in great majority, Moscatel Roxo, touriga nacional, aragonez, Syrah.
Whites : Moscatel de Setubal (graudo), Fernao Pires, Arinto, Malvasia, Antao Vaz.
Regional stars, pairing and our suggestions for wines from the Setubal peninsula.
The regional stars of Setubal Peninsula wines.
The still wines are not the most famous of the Peninsula, but the king grape variety: Moscatel and Moscatel Roxo (coral violet) which, once mutated, will make the generous moscatel wine. A popular aperitif drink throughout Portugal, moscatel comes from Setubal or the Douro (favaios). It is much more widely drunk than port wine, which has always been shunned in the country :
- Quinta da Bacalhoa
- Jose Maria da Fonseca
- Casa Ermelinda Freitas
- Horacio Simões
- Herdade da Murteira
The food/wine pairing of the Setubal peninsula.
- Beans with chorizo : Terras de po reserva 2017, Castelão.
- Caldeirada (spicy fish broth) : Herdade da Arcebispa 2017 reserva branco.
- Fried green beans (Peixinhos da horta) : Pegos Claros, blanc de noirs, Castelão.
- Genoa cake (Pão de lò) : Moscatel Roxo superior Horácio Simões 2005.
- Pastel de feijão : Moscatel Roxo Bastardo Horacio Simões 2003.
Our suggestions for Setubal wines.
Let’s start with the white wines, then the reds, and finally the moscatels :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for the Setubal peninsula :
Geography and characteristics of the Alentejo region.
The Alentejo is a vast region nicknamed the « granary of Portugal » because of its agricultural production. Amongst olive trees and porco preto farms, we find a few vineyards scattered around.
Mainly located in the north-east of the region, on the side of Evora, Portalegre and Beja, the vineyards grow on low plateaus where rain is extremely rare. This dry climate produces wines of great renown. It is also the second or third most productive region in the country, neck and neck with the Lisbon region.
The particularity of the Alentejo is that the wines are sometimes aged in talhas. These are gigantic terracotta amphorae (up to 2 tons) that allow the wine to ferment for one to two weeks. As the talhas are porous, the winegrowers must seal them. They use pine resin but also other natural products such as olive oil or beeswax. It seems that each winegrowing family has its own sealing recipe, passed on in secret from generation to generation. Why is it so secret ? Because each amphora will give a particular flavour to the wine, making it stand out from the others.
The talha wine method dates back to ancient times, to the time of the Romans! It is therefore easy to understand the attachment that the Alentejan winegrowers have to perpetuate this tradition. It is a pleasure today to be able to taste this very special wine. Note that this process is present both in the large vineyards and in the small family quintas.
In the Alentejo region, each wine town has a reputation associated with a specific wine :
- The town of Reguengos de Monsaraz is known for its full-bodied red wines.
- The towns of Vidigueira and Granja for their white wines.
- Portalegre, Redondo and Borba for both.
The main grape varieties :
Reds : Touriga Nacional, Castelão, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet and two common with France: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Whites : Arinto, Antao Vaz, Roupeiro.
The regional stars, pairing and our suggestions for Alentejo wines.
The regional stars of Alentejo wines :
There are many of them ! Compared to other wine regions in Portugal, Alentejo wines are expensive, no doubt due to the international craze. Without further debate, here are the best known producers in the region :
- Herdade do Esporão
- Herdade do Rocim
- Carmim
- Ervideira
- Marques de Borba
- Monte Ravasqueira
- Herdade do Peso
- Monte dos Perdigões
- Reynolds
- Cartuxa
- Mouchão (the best for last)
The Alentejo food/wine pairing.
- Dish with black pork from the Alentejano : Herdade Grande Reserva 2015
- Tomato soup : Monte das Servas Branco Escolha 2011.
- Gaspacho alentejo : Paulo Laureano, premium vinhas velhas 2017.
- Açorda à alentejana : Argilla branco 2017.
- Migas and black pork cutlets : Convento da Tomina 2018.
Our suggestions of Alentejo wines, according to the budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Alentejo :
Geography and characteristics of the Algarve region.
The famous southern region of Portugal is best known for its golf courses and heavenly beaches. Wine production has clearly been abandoned in favour of fruit trees and table grapes. Who hasn’t enjoyed oranges, figs, carobs and almonds in the Algarve ? There are still a few vineyards, but they have to be torn out. With a production of 10 to 25,000 hectolitres, the bottles do not travel far !
The Algarve wine region is now divided into 4 DOCs : Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Tavira.
The following grape varieties are common to each DOC and must represent more than 70% of each vintage.
The main grape varieties:
Reds : Castelão, Negra Mole, Trincadeira.
Whites : Arinto, Siria, Malvasia fina.
The Algarve's food/wine combination.
- The famous fish and seafood cataplana : Marques dos vales selecta Branco 2015.
- Cockles, Algarvian style : Barranco longo grande escolha branco 2018
- Muxama (tuna), the ham of the sea : Lagoa Reserva Branco 2015.
Our suggestions of Algarve wines, according to budget.
Let’s start with the white wines, then we’ll finish with the reds :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for the Algarve wines :
Geography and soil characteristics of Madeira Island.
Ah, Madeira ! I only need one sip to get my feet wet. No, this wine is not only made for the eponymous sauce… Far from it !
I haven’t had the chance to visit the archipelago yet, but yes, I’ve been able to taste a number of nectars. If the island is ridiculously small, it nevertheless offers a high density of fruit trees. The wines produced there have exotic flavours rarely found in other Portuguese wines. It is with this difference that they draw all their elegance.
I also admit to having a soft spot for the sober but chic aestheticism of their bottles. The white paint and the stencil are of the most beautiful effect : the rustic and the authenticity are expressed with this brush stroke.
Here are the grape varieties that generally make up Madeira wines :
Boal, sercial, malvasia, verdelho e tinta negra (or Negra Mole). The latter makes up 90% of the wines, with the other varieties sharing the remaining 10%. The single-variety wines (Boal and Malvasia) are among the best fortified wines in the world.
The regional stars, pairing and our suggestions of Madeira wines.
The regional stars of Madeira wines :
Very few Portuguese sounding names. Like Porto, the island has always been a land of welcome for British. It even belonged to them during the reign of Charles II (17th century). It was the English who developed the island’s wine industry and then exported their wine to the Americas :
- D’Oliveiras
- Blandy’s
- Henriques & henriques
- Leacock’s
- Barbeito
- Broadbent
The Madeira wine and food pairing.
- As an aperitif, with smoked fish canapés, goat’s or sheep’s cheese : dry sercial Madeira wine.
- Still for the aperitif, but also for onion soup, well gratinated : Madeira Verdelho wine, semi-dry.
- With a typical Portuguese dessert, fruit, fresh, exotic but also dry : Madeira wine boal, semi-sweet. This young wine goes perfectly with a soft cheese, not too strong. If not, you should get out the old bottle, a little older. This wine is also perfect with a chocolate dessert, a caramelised banana cake… or a cigar.
- With the famous Madeira honey cake and intense dark chocolate : Madeira malvasia wine, sweet. It will also go perfectly with blue cheeses from all over the world (Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton…) or the famous Portuguese cheeses : Azeitão, Serra, da ilha (from the Azores).
Our suggestions of Madeira wines.
Let’s first talk about Madeira’s still wines. This will go quickly as there are not many of them. Then we will talk about the different fortifies Madeira wines with their years :
Our expert Sofia's recommendations for Madeira wines :
Geography and characteristics of the Azores.
Continuation and end of the island wine regions of Portugal with the Azores archipelago. History tells us that the first vines came from Madeira. This seems logical since the settlement of Macaronesia was done in the same order.
The Azores are renowned for their whites, but also for their sparkling wines, fortified wines and finally vinegars. It is worth noting the titanic work carried out by the hand of man on these islands swept by the Atlantic! Indeed, each wine island has its own squares, called currais, in order to be completely sheltered from the gusts of wind. This consists of creating an enclosure around the vineyards made of dark volcanic stones. This is the greatest specificity of the Azores. To be entitled to the DOC designation, the vines must be located at low altitude (less than 100-150m).
The great peculiarity of Azorean wines comes from the humid climate with a very low temperature range during the seasons.
There are three delimited and protected areas: Pico, Graciosa and Biscoitos, three islands located in the centre of the Azores archipelago.
Let’s take a closer look at each producing island and their respective DOCs:
- Pico : by far the leading island in terms of production and reputation. The main DOC area is located on the west coast of the island and extends from north to south. Then two sporadic points, due north and due east, join the highly prized appellation. The wine-growing area as a whole is very small and represents perhaps 1/10th of the island.
In Graciosa, almost 3/4 of the island is in D.O.C. but divided into two parts: Santa Cruz (north-east), Praia (south-east). - Biscoitos : On the island of Terceira, this municipality is ridiculously small and represents even less territory compared to the rest of the island. Perhaps, on a lump sum basis, 1/20th.
The main grape varieties:
Whites : Arinto, Verdelho, Terrantez.
Regional stars, pairing and our suggestions for wines from the Azores archipelago.
The regional stars of Azorean wines :
The islands could be considered lost but far from it. Their reputation puts them at the centre of tables all over the world, especially in Russia ! Indeed, in the last century, a strong wine, above 15 degrees or even 17 degrees, was highly appreciated by the Tsar’s court. The international reputation has not been forgotten. One of the sweet wines pays tribute to this period.
Among the 21 producers of the archipelago, these houses have great reputation :
- Pico Wines, Frei Gigante
- Czar
- Fitapreta
- Lajido
- Azores Zines Company
- Adega a braca
- Curral Atlantis
- Quinta da Jardinete
Magma
The food/wine pairing of the Azores.
- Xerem (cornmeal purée) with black pork cheek : Arinto dos Açores.
- Oysters : Adega do Vulcão. The iodine and the mineral side make a pairing destined to be a success for the aperitifs with seafood !
Our suggestions for Azorean wines, depending on your budget.
Let’s talk about the wines of these splendid, flowery and preserved islands by first talking about the whites, then the sweet wines :