To any wine lover, Portugal is a paradise. The banks of the Duoro River offer some of the most beautiful and lush vineyards in the content, and the wide variety of grapes and wines make visiting the country a must for anyone appreciating a good vintage. What makes Portugal such an important country for wine? Let's examine.
The Region
Like other mediterranean countries, Portugal's warm climate is ideal for growing grapes. The country's hillsides and river valleys have been popular locations for vineyards since Roman times, when citizens of the ancient empire would frequently import the wine from the Iberian peninsula.
Not surprisingly, Portugal's wine-growing regions include not one, but two of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites: The Douro Vinhateiro (Douro Valley Wine Region) and the Ilha do Pico Vinhateira (Pico Island Wine Region). Countless vineyards can be found in these areas, which are among the major producers of wines of Portugal.
The Grapes
More than 80 varieties of grapes are grown in Portugal, which owes its rich variety to the climate and soil differences from Madeira to the Azores. Both red and white castas (varieties) ranging from Vinhos Verdes and Bucelas (white) to Porto, Dão, Bairrada and Colares (white) can be found in the country's various regions.
The Wines
Not surprisingly, the large variety of grapes leads to one of Europe's most wide-spread varieties in domestic wines. Most famous is the red Port Wine, which is produced exclusively in the Duoro region and is typically sweet - though semi-dry and dry variations do exist.
Vinho Verde is another popular vintage as a wine that does not require aging because of the lack of sugar in the grapes it's produced from. Most Vinho Verde is white, but it's possible to get red and even rosé variations. And the variations continue, from the red Dão wine to the tannic red Bairrada vinho.
In short, the wines of Portugal are plentiful, and the country is proud of its rich tradition in this area. Contact us for more information about the wines of Portugal and visiting this beautiful country!
