Dear Blanca,
In my recent trip to Puerto Rico, I realized that I’m quite enthusiastic about wine. Could you tell me what kind of wine Portugal is known for? On my travels, I hope to quench my thirst for knowledge about the delicious delicacies of Portugal!
Signed,
Thirsty Tricia T. from Tacoma, WA
What types of wine is Portugal famous for producing?
Hi Tricia,
I’m glad to hear that you’ve developed a deep interest in wine during. There’s no better time to learn about the beautiful craft of producing wonderful wines than now! In the country where I live and work, we are very proud of our unique and special wines.
Vinho Verde
When talking about wine, Portugal is known for Vinho Verde. Variations of this popular white wine can range from dry to slightly sweet and are usually low in alcohol (8%-12%). The Vinho Verde style can be produced in a few different DOCs from north to south. These include Moncao, Melgaço, Lima, and Basto.
Port Wine
In terms of red wine varieties, Portugal is most famous for its Vinho Regional do Douro DOC. This specific type of wine is also referred to as Port wine due to the fact that is it traditionally produced around the Douro River valley. You’ll find that many of these wines are sweet and velvety with a flavor profile that combines blackberry, dark cherry and raisins.
Other Varietals
If the aforementioned wines don’t get you excited, I’m sure other Portuguese DOC varieties will win you over. In fact, there are over 250 grape varietals grown in Portugal, waiting for you to discover them. The two discussed above are the most popular, but these are a few varietals you may want to start with:
- Touriga Nacional
- Arinto
- Alvarinho (used a lot for Vinho Verde)
- Alicante Bouschet.
These grapes are used to produce a variety of different wines, including red, white, and sparkling wines
My top tips for selecting the best Portuguese wines are:
• Learn more about Portuguese Grapes: Portugal grows many indigenous grape varieties that give its wines a character and identity that can’t be found elsewhere.
• Read Labels: Look for labels that specify same type of Portuguese wine in different styles.
• Ask for Recommendations from Locals: Don’t be afraid to ask local servers or shopkeepers from which varieties of the production region you should try.
You will also have many opportunities for wine-tasting in Lisbon. Many of the wineries in the area offer special tours, tastings, and events related to Portuguese wines. During the Touriga Nacional Wine Festival, for example, you can sample wines from all over Portugal in one place and learn more about their production.
here is nothing quite like enjoying a Portuguese wine and taking in the unique atmosphere in Lisbon. I hope that this gives you a better idea of the delectable wines of Portugal and maybe gets you to visit here.
Also, Wines of Portugal has some great resources HERE.
And you can read more of my wine articles here.
Take care,
Blanca.