- Alentejo
- Algarve (Algarve)
- Bairrada (Bayrrada)
- Bucelas (Buselas)
- Dao (Tao)
- Douro (Douro)
- Colares (Colares)
- Madeira (Madeira)
- Ribatejo (Ribatejo)
- Vinho Verde (Vinho Verde)
Alentejo
Region of high quality wine production.
The most famous vineyards of the province of Alentejo are Borba (Borba), Reguengos de Monsaraz (Regengos de Monzarash), Vidigueira (Vidigueira), Redondo (Redondo) and Portalegre (Portalegre).
In Alentejo, the production of white wines is of the greatest importance. But despite this, both types of wines are the perfect accompaniment to local delicacies. Portalegre produces wines of the IPR category – red wines of good quality, with a full body and a high alcohol content, so it is recommended to be careful with them. There are red and white Portalegre VQPRD – these are “Tapada do Chaves” and “Morgado do Reguingo”.
There are also IPR zones in the Borba and Redondo vineyards.
Algarve (Algarve)
The restricted region received RD status in 1980.
Produces soft, velvety wines, with a fruity bouquet and an alcohol content exceeding 13%.
The region is famous for its dry aperitif “Afonso III” and dry wine “Algar seco”, which tastes like sherry.
Bairrada (Bayrrada)
According to sourcemakeup, Bairrada is one of the main producers of red wines in Portugal. Located on the coastal plain, from the sea to the city of Aveiro (Aveiro) and then south to the city of Coimbra (Coimbra).
The region got its name from the word “barro” (clay).
Red wines of rich shades with a balanced alcohol content are stored in the wine cellars of Alianca, Real Ca Velha, Sogrape, Luis Pato.
Bairrad white effervescent wines are highly valued.
Bucelas (Buselas )
Bucelas is a small region located 30 km north of Lisbon. Received the status of “certain” in 1911, but only local white wines have the “DOC” rank. Fresh dry white wines are made here for export.
Dao (Tao)
In the province of Beira Alta, there is a “defined area” Dao, named after the main tributary of the Mondego River, has the status of RD.
The whole perimeter of Dao is marked by three mountain areas – Bucaco, Caramulo and Serra da Estrela. This arrangement impedes the Atlantic winds and maintains a Mediterranean-like climate in the region.
Three zones are distinguished here: the best is on the right bank of the Dao, the second is between the Dao and Mondegu, and the third is on the left bank of the Mondegu. The western part – the best for white wine production – is relatively flat, fertile and low (between 1,000 and 1,300 feet). The eastern part – ideal for red wine – is located in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela.
Typical for RD Dao wines are red, with a ruby hue, with a pleasant aroma and a velvety bouquet. The strength of these wines is 12%, and they must be aged for 18 months in barrels, and then a minimum of 2 months in the bottle. It is only after such exposure that the red wines of Dao acquire all their positive properties. The most famous: “Caves Alianca”, “Caves S. Joao”, “J. Maria da Fonseca”, “Caves Messias”, “Caves Acacio”, “Caves Primavera”. RD Dao also makes a light, fruity white wine at 12% abv. The Dao Region Wine Commission has its own Quality Seal (VCDR).
Douro (Douro)
Region of production of Porto (port wine). It also produces regular dry wines with DOC status since 1982.
Thanks to such exceptional varieties as “Barca Velha”, Douro wines are rated as one of the best. Also popular are wines such as “Quinta do Cotto”, “Quinta da Pacheca”, “Duas Quintas”, “Caves Velhas”, “Caves Alianca”. RD Douro also produces some high quality sparkling wines.
Colares (Colares)
Not far from the city of Sintra, the vineyards of RD Colares are located, producing ruby-colored wines that, during the fermentation process, acquire an unusually velvety bouquet. The first winemakers appeared in Colares in 1255.
To achieve high quality, the wine is aged for several years, although a minimum of 18 months is enough. Due to the long maturation of the wine, sales of Colares wines are severely limited and therefore Colares has recently become the Mecca of all wine gourmets.
Madeira (Madeira)
Madeiran wines (Madeira), along with ports (wine from Porto), are without a doubt considered the real ambassadors of Portuguese winemaking.
Maidera is known for noble wines – “Sercial”, “Verdelho”, “Boal” and, of course, “Malvasia”.
Ribatejo (Ribatejo)
Fertile agricultural area, which is located in the east of Lisbon.
Wines made from grapes from the whole region are labeled Vinho Reginal Ribatejo, if the wines are from a specific vineyard they can be classified into smaller regions and labeled as IPRs: Almeirim, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Santarem, Tomar and Coruche.
White wines from Ribatejo are soft, velvety and have a pronounced fruity bouquet. Ribatejo also produces strong red wines. Coruche (Cartaxo), Rio Maior (Rio Maior), Azambuja (Azambuja) and Santarem (Santaren) are famous for excellent wines.
Among the famous Ribatezh wines are “Covento de Tomar”, “Caves D.Teodosio”, “Casa Agricola Herdeiros de Dom Luis de Margaride”, “Quinta de Alorna”, “Quinta do Casal Branco de D. Sofia Sobral Lobo de Vasconcelos”, reserves “Adega Cooperativa do Cartaxo”, “Quinta Vale dos Fornos”
Vinho Verde (Vinho Verde)
A certain region of Vinho Verde is located in the northwest of Portugal, in an area that, according to tradition, is called “Between Douro and Minho” (Entre-Douro-e-Minho). In the north, the region borders with Galicia along the Minho River, in the south, the Douro River is defined as the border of the region.
The main direction of the region is the production of vinho verde.
Vinho Verde (vinho verde – green wine) is a unique product that is not produced in any country in the world except Portugal.
The name “Vinho Verde” does not come from its color, but from a short aging period. These young, “green” wines have a different color depending on the variety. “Tintush” (tintos – dark) have rich pink or red hues, and the colors of wines “Brancos”.
In Portugal, vineyards for the production of Vinho Verde are allocated almost 70 thousand hectares, which corresponds to 15% of the nation’s agricultural land.