Portugal is one of the world’s oldest wine-producing countries, offering a wide range of wine styles, from its famous fortified Port to table wines from regions like Douro and Alentejo. With 14 wine regions and hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, Portugal offers a kaleidoscope of flavours, styles, and stories.
Portuguese wine is noted for its bold flavours and unique indigenous grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional and Arinto, which give its wines a distinctive edge. Vinho Verde, translating to "green wine", is not green in colour but rather young in age. Produced in the Minho region, this slightly effervescent wine is known for its light, refreshing character. Typically made from local grape varieties like Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Arinto, Vinho Verde can be white, red, or rosé.
There’s also Madeira wine, from the eponymous Atlantic island. Its unique taste is the result of a heating process called "estufagem", lending the wine its characteristic caramel and toasted notes. Madeira ranges from dry to sweet, with styles like Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malmsey.
Port, named after the city of Porto, is a fortified wine originating from the Douro Valley. Its sweet, rich character is achieved by halting fermentation with the addition of grape spirits. Depending on ageing techniques, Port can be ruby (young and fruity) or tawny (aged with nutty nuances). Vintage Port, produced from exceptional harvests and aged in bottles, is particularly prized.
The country’s varied terroir, including coastal, mountainous, and river valley regions, allows for the production of everything from rich reds to crisp whites and sparkling wines.