PORTUGUESE WINE

Portugal is renowned for making an enticing range of red, white and fortified wines from indigenous grape varieties.

Portugal is one of the world’s earliest wine-producing countries, with an impressive winemaking history that spans centuries. Its winemaking methods have been shaped by interactions with ancient civilisations like the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. Port is the country’s most celebrated wine – it first became popular in Europe largely due to historical trading ties with England.

Besides Port, Portugal is well known for its Vinho Verde, a young, slightly effervescent wine, and Madeira – a fortified wine from the Madeira Islands. The country’s diverse climate ranges from cool and rainy in the north to hot and dry in the south, and this plays a key role in the vast array of wines available.

Portugal is home to 14 unique wine regions, each distinguished by its own microclimate and distinct winemaking customs. Some of the key winemaking regions include:

• Alentejo – Famous as the epicentre of Portugal’s red wine, Alentejo produces full-bodied, flavourful red wines thanks to its sprawling plains and Mediterranean climate. The region is also gaining attention for its elegant white wines.
• Bairrada – This coastal region is celebrated for its rich, age-worthy red wines featuring the native Baga grape. It’s also known for making elegant and complex sparkling wines, known as ‘espumantes’.
• Dão – This central Portuguese region is known for its refined, long-lasting red wines typically made from Touriga Nacional grapes. Dão also makes vibrant, full-bodied white wines using native Encruzado grapes.
• Douro Valley – Bordering the Douro River, this northern region is well-known for its fortified Port wines. The UNESCO World Heritage site features steep, terraced vineyards that grow a range of red and white grapes. The region’s offerings include rich Vintage Ports to aged Tawny Ports, characterised by dried fruit, spice and nut flavours. Key grape varieties include the red Touriga Nacional and the white Rabigato.
• Lisboa - Home to over 30 grape varieties, from the crisp Arinto to the robust Tinta Roriz, also called Tempranillo. Its coastal location gives it a maritime climate that contributes to fruity and aromatic wines.
• Vinho Verde - Nestled in the northwest corner of the country, Vinho Verde (meaning “green wine”) is famous for its aromatic, effervescent white wines. The region’s cool, damp climate is well-suited for growing Alvarinho and Loureiro grapes.

Home to more than 250 indigenous grape types, Portugal is a treasure trove of unique grape varieties not found elsewhere. Instead of replacing these with internationally popular grapes, Portugal has nurtured its native varieties, resulting in distinctive, flavour-rich wines that provide excellent value.

From the steeped vineyards of Douro, celebrated for its Ports, to the lush plains of Vinho Verde, famous for its fizzy white wines, Portugal’s varied terrain and climate conditions cultivate a vibrant range of grape varieties. The result? A wide array of wines, each of which leans into unique characteristics that are worth exploring.

Some of the most notable Portuguese grape varieties are:

• Alicante Bouschet - A unique grape with red skin known for making wines with deep and intense colours.
• Alvarinho - Better known as Albariño in Spain, this white grape variety is used to make aromatic wines rich in flavour.
• Castelão - A dark-skinned red grape variety used in an assortment of wines, from still red and rosé to sparkling wines.
• Touriga Nacional - Portugal’s flagship grape is extensively grown in the Douro Valley for Port wines and is a dominant player in many red wines.

Several distinct grape varieties play a crucial role in shaping the wine landscape of Portugal. Some of the most popular Portuguese red wines include:

• Alfrocheiro - Recognised for its thick skin and vibrant hue, Alfrocheiro grapes make wines with deep red shades and intense flavours of blackberries, cherries and plums, with subtle hints of spice. It’s frequently blended with lighter varieties to deepen their colour.
• Tinta Barroca - Much like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca is also a key variety used in Port wines. As the third most planted grape in the Duoro region, it gives rise to wines with flavours of dark cherry and warm hints of pepper and spice, making it a food-friendly variety that pairs well with game meats and roasted mushrooms.
• Touriga Franca - Typically found in the Duoro and Dão regions, Touriga Franca wines may not share the same renown as Touriga Nacional but offer more rounded tannins, hints of sweet spices, and a fruity, aromatic style.
• Touriga Nacional - Regarded as a national treasure, this aromatic grape is fundamental in making Port and robust red wines. With flavours of black fruits, spice and violet, this potent yet graceful wine can be paired with rich, fatty dishes like sirloin steak.
• Tinta Roriz/Tempranillo - Tinta Roriz is a versatile grape variety used in blends and varietal wines. Widely grown across Portugal, Tinta Roriz wines are medium-to-full-bodied with a smooth texture, featuring blackberry, cherry and plum flavours and undertones of leather, tobacco and spices. These wines are enjoyable even in their youth, pairing well with robust dishes, such as roast lamb and beef wellington.

Here are some of the best Portuguese white wines and their ideal food pairings:

• Alvarinho - Celebrated for its robust acidity and citrusy notes of lemon zest and grapefruit, along with a salty undertone, Alvarinho (Albariño in Spain) pairs beautifully with dishes featuring white fish, white meats and soft cheeses.
• Antão Vaz - From the Alentejo region, wines from this grape have sweet, fruity flavours such as citrus, honey and pineapple. This is due to the grape’s excellent adaptability to warmer climates.
• Encruzado - One of Portugal’s esteemed white grape varieties, Encruzado is made in Dão’s granite hills. Its complex flavours of stone fruits, woody herbs and pine make it a versatile, smooth wine that pairs particularly well with green vegetable risottos and white fish.
• Verdelho - This white Verdelho wine has zesty aromas, vibrant citrus and ginger flavours, making it an excellent complement to spicier dishes. It is also used in the production of fortified Madeira wines.
• Vinho Verde - A refreshing offering from the northwest, Vinho Verde is an ideal companion for summer days and light, fried seafood dishes. These wines are recognised for their sharp acidity, gentle bubbles and lively grapefruit, gooseberry, white melon and lime blossom flavours.

Portuguese fortified wines are rich, diverse and include some renowned varieties like Port and Madeira, offering a range of flavours to cater to different tastes. Let’s take a look at some popular varieties of Portuguese fortified wines.

• Madeira - With its distinctive flavours of caramel, orange peel and roasted nuts, Madeira wine owes its unique flavour to a specialised ageing process. As per the European Union’s protected designation of origin, fortified wines labelled as Madeira can only be made within the Madeira archipelago under strict conditions to bear the name.
• Moscatel de Setúbal - From the Setúbal Peninsula, Moscatel de Setúbal is a rich, sweet wine offering intense aromas of orange blossom, honey and dried fruits. Typically made with the Moscatel de Setúbal grape, this wine is cherished for its luxurious, citrusy character. It makes a splendid dessert wine, pairing beautifully with blue cheeses or simply savoured on its own.
• Port - Crafted from grapes grown in the Douro Valley, Port wine features a broad spectrum of flavours and sweetness levels, catering to all palates. Port wine varieties span from the rich, robust Vintage Port to the sweet, nutty and caramel-tinged Tawny Port.