Portugese Wine Regions

Portugal
It's natural that when we think Portugal we naturally think port. But
the country offers many other wines, including hearty reds and
spritzy whites. With an ancient wine-making history, Portugal's wines
are as unique as they are flavorful.

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They've been growing wine grapes in what it today Portugal since ancient
times. It was introduced to the region as early as 2000 B.C., but became a truly
thriving trade under the Romans, to whom they exported it in major quantities.
In the 12th and 13th centuries the Moors invaded what is now Spain and
Portugal. Muslim law forbids intoxicated liquors and wine production
subsequently suffered. With the liberation of the region from the Muslims,
replanting became a priority and during the period new varieties were brought
in from France.

Later, explorers brought Moscatel from the island of Madeira and Malvasia from
the Greek Island of Crete. Still later, Portugal began exporting quantities of wine
to Britain, solidified by the Methuen Treaty, which gave preference to
Portuguese wines imported to Britain. Portuguese wines remain popular in
that country. Portugal boasts the oldest appellation system in the world, in the
Douro Valley.

In northern Portugal lies the Minho, home the slightly effervescent white wine
called Vinho Verde, so called not because it is green but because it is meant to
be drunk young. Vinho Verde can be made from anumber of white grapes, but
those made with Alvarinho (same as Spain's Albarino) are preferred. For red
wines, the most common regions are the Douro, Dao, Bairrada and Alentejo.
Portugal has a huge number of native breeds of grapes, called casta, some
500 in all (and too many to name here right now). Of course, Portigal is most
famed for its fortified Port wines, of which more here.

The Appellation System

Official Designations:

Vinho de Qualidade Produzido em Região Determinada

(VQPRD):

Indicates a specific vineyard, such as Port Wine, Vinhos Verdes, and

Alentejo Wines; labeled D.O.C. (Denominação de Origem Controlada)

Indicacao de Proveniencia Regulamentada:

Other wines which have

regulations placed upon them but are not in a DOC region fall under

this category

Vinho Regional

(Regional Wine): A specific region within Portugal.

Vinho de Mesa

(Table Wine): Carries the producer's name and the