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The biggest of Black Reds, the most deliciously crisp whites, astonishingly age-worthy Ports, great value everyday drinking … is there nothing that Portugal can’t do? Read our essential guide to Portuguese wine regions to discover why Portugal is one of the most exciting wine countries on the planet.
What’s so great about Portuguese wines?
I’ll be honest from the start here. Portugal has a special place in my heart. It was one of the very first trips I did as a wine buyer and, twenty years later, it’s still one of my favourite places to visit. It’s home to the kindest people in the world, the most beautiful wine region in the world (the Douro Valley – more on that in a minute), and thanks to its wealth of indigenous grape varieties, some of the most interesting, delicious and quirky wines you’ll ever taste. Biased? Well, maybe just a little.
Let me take you on a tour to discover Portugal’s best wine regions …
Vinho Verde
We’ll start in the far northwest, in the verdant green hills of Vinho Verde. Beginning just below the Spanish border on the border with Galicia and extending all the way along the Atlantic Ocean to the city of Porto, the Vinho Verde wine region shares many traits with its Spanish neighbour. Cool, coastal vineyards, plenty of rain, and even the same famous grape variety – Albariño in Spain, known as Alvarinho in Portugal. You can find reds and rosés from Vinho Verde but it’s the whites that shine. Super-crisp and usually lower in alcohol (around 11%), with fresh citrusy flavours and often a gentle, tongue-tingling spritz, these are among the world’s most refreshing white wines. If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass in a Portuguese beach bar, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. We love this style so much, we’ve dedicated a whole article to it – see our Beginner’s Guide to Vinho Verde wines.
Douro
No matter how you visit the Douro Valley wine region (and visit you must), whether via river cruise, road or train, you cannot fail but be entranced by this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each twist and turn will leave you wondering how the wine in your glass comes from such breathtakingly steep, terraced vineyards. The Douro has long been famous for its Port – check out What is Port? And why we should all be drinking more of it. But it’s now also considered Portugal’s finest wine region for reds, and home to increasingly exciting white wines too. The reds are made from the same grapes as Port, the best known being Touriga Nacional, along with Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão and Tinta Barroca. Like the region’s Ports, these reds are lusciously rich with immense fruit and flavour.
Dão
The Dão region is located just south of the Douro Valley, and like its famous neighbour, is best known for its red wines. Indeed, the Douro’s signature grape, Touriga Nacional, is thought to have originated in Dão. So, what’s the difference between Dão and Douro wines? Whereas the Douro is known for its big, blockbuster reds, Dão is known for reds of elegance, and is often referred to as the ‘Burgundy of the South’. That’s thanks to a cooler climate and granite soils that help give the reds a natural freshness. Dåo is also home to fine white wines, particularly those made from the citrusy Encruzado grape.
Bairrada
Bairrada lies between the mountains and the coast in central Portugal. Its proximity to the coast with the cooling influence of the Atlantic, meant it was one of the first wine regions in Portugal to explore sparkling wines. But it’s still the reds that reign supreme. Unusually for Portugal, these are often made from a single variety, the characterful Baga grape. Baga was historically known for robust, tannic wines, but these days a young generation of winemakers have unleashed the potential of this grape for making everything from young, juicy reds to complex, age-worthy wines. A Portuguese wine region to watch.
Lisboa
From rich, velvety reds to crisp, coastal whites and refreshing, juicy rosés, Lisboa is a large and diverse Portuguese wine region with wines to suit all palates. The vineyards stretch north along the coast from the vibrant capital city of Lisbon towards the Bairrada region and include nine separate DOCs. Lisboa is also home to one of our favourite Portuguese wineries, Casa Santos Lima, the award-winning family estate behind favourites like Amoras and Stones & Bones.
Península de Setúbal
The stunning Península de Setúbal is located just across the River Tagus from Lisbon city. Famous for its white sandy beaches, bottlenose dolphins and pristine nature reserves, it’s a must-see stop on any tour of Portugal. The wines are honestly the icing on the cake. It was the sweet, fortified wines of Moscatel de Setúbal that first put this Portuguese region on the wine map. But now it’s recognised for its big, bold reds, especially those made from Castelão, a grape that thrives on its sandy soils, and the aromatic whites of Ferñao Pires. None of this will be news to our Portuguese red-loving customers, as this region is also home to our No.1 Portuguese Black Red, Vinha do Fava.
Alentejo
Head inland between Lisbon and the Algarve and you’ll reach the Portuguese wine region of Alentejo. Think empty roads, big open skies and vast swathes of cork trees, vineyards and olive trees. Throw in some beautiful ancient walled towns and villages (Évora and Marvão are worth the visit alone) and you’ve got one fantastic road trip. As for the wines, well they’re some of the finest in Portugal. Thanks to the hot, dry and sunny climate, they’re seriously ripe and fruity, which is why Alentejo is often referred to as the New World of Portugal. The powerful, rich reds are the standout wines, made from varieties such as Aragonês, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet.
Madeira and the Azores
I mentioned earlier that the Douro is the most beautiful wine region in the world, but Madeira must surely be a strong contender for the title. Situated 1,000km from mainland Portugal, the wines are, unsurprisingly, very different from other Portuguese wine regions. It’s famous for its fortified wines, with a history stretching back to the 15th century. For a deep dive into Madeira, take a look at our article on What is Madeira? As for the Azores (even further at 1,600 km from Portugal), these islands are home to unique, mineral-fresh whites that reflect their volcanic and Atlantic origins. These are rapidly becoming some of Portugal’s most sought-after wines and if you want to know why, try Arquipélago.
About the author
Sarah Turner
Sarah is a wine writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in the world of wine. She began her career in retail, passing the WSET Level 4 Diploma, before becoming a supermarket wine buyer and finally finding her home in our creative team. Her love of food, wine and travel has taken her all over the world, but she has a soft spot for Portugal’s Douro Valley and the sherries and tapas bars of Andalucia.
