Each Portuguese region has its peculiarity in the production of wines. We'll see each one.

Douro

The relief is very irregular in this area, in addition to having microclimates. So, here we have the Port wine, which is rich, sweet, with a high alcohol content. Douro White and Red wines are also produced.

The main red varieties are Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Aragonez), Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão. As for the white varieties, we have Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Gouveio and Rabigato.

Dão

Those from the Dão region have complex and delicate aromas, with the main grape varieties being:

    • Touriga Nacional: the noblest variety, whose wines have good alcohol content, intense aromas, noble tannins and are capable of good aging.

    • Encruzado: noble white variety, with complex, fresh and dry aromas. They also have good alcohol content.

    • Alfrocheiro Preto: wines with a very intense color that gain complexity over the years.

    • Jaén: regular alcohol content, with aromas of ripe fruit, soft texture and quality tannins.

Minho

This is the unique region that produces the famous Vinhos Verdes (Green Wines), which are light and elegant. White wines are young, fruity and harmonious. Reds have intense colours, and may have a reddish or pinkish foam. They have wild fruit aromas, with marked acidity.

Madeira

In Madeira, the humid temperate climate, volcanic soils and south-facing slopes provide excellent conditions for the production of more mature wines as well as lighter, moderately alcoholic wines. In the Madeira archipelago the following varieties are produced:

    • Sercial: drier and firmer, with amber color and orange reflections;

    • Verdelho: less dry compared to Sercial, with brownish reflections;

    • Boal: medium sweet and risk of aromas and flavours;

    • Malmsey: sweet, soft and very aromatic;

    • Terrantez: this is rarer, similar to Verdelho and Boal.

Setúbal

With a mixed climate and close to the sea, the Setúbal Peninsula has a wide variety of types of grape varieties.

    • Single varietals: with intense, structured and fruity aromas.

    • Varietal combinations: structured wines, others less, with aromas of red fruits, dried fruits and spices.

Trás-os-Montes

Thanks to the schist, which predominates in this region, the wines are intensely coloured, fruity and low in alcohol.

Azores

The climatic conditions in the Azores are not very favourable for planting vines. For this reason, only three islands in this archipelago produce wine: Terceira Island, where liqueur white wine is produced; Pico Island, where liqueur white is also produced, but with a more complex aroma and more spices; Graciosa Island, where light and fresh fruity white wine is produced.

Algarve

The Algarve area has a dry, hot and low windy climate, thanks to the mountains that protect against the cold winds that come from the North. We can divide the Algarve region into four: Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira. All four regions produce velvety, fruity, light-bodied, ruby-coloured red wines, as well as smooth white wines, with a colour between straw and lemon.

Alentejo

In this area, you get two types of wine. On the one hand, ruby ​​wines, warm, balanced and with a red fruit flavour. On the other hand, straw-coloured white wines, full-bodied, balanced and fruity.

This happens thanks to the plains and high insolation, allowing the grapes to mature and sugars to accumulate on the fruit's skin.

Tejo (Tagus)

The Tagus River and the mountains that surround it create a temperate Mediterranean climate. The red wines are complex, with a balance of tannins and ruby ​​colour. Whites have a citrus color, fruity aromas such as peach and floral aromas.

Lisbon

With a temperate climate and some humidity, the red wines are ruby ​​and the white ones have citrus flavours.

Beira Interior

Being a mountainous area with granitic soils, its white wines are fresh and exuberant, while the reds have aromas of wild fruits and spices, equally fresh.

Bairrada

This area is characterized by red wines with maroon and ruby ​​colours, fruity aromas and a tendency to more complex aromas over the years. The white wines from Bairrada have citrus colours, fresh flavour and fruity aroma.

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