Peter Morrell looks at the many attractions on offer in the wine regions of Portugal
In February 2024 the travel and wine industries will meet at the Wine & Travel Week conference to discuss the merits of wine tourism. It will be held in Porto, Portugal, this is the ideal location as Portugal is one of the best countries in the world to visit for a wine-centric holiday.
Touring the wine growing regions of Portugal offers a lot more than the pleasures of the grape. The food is superb, the people are very friendly, and the cultural heritage is breathtaking.
Portugal’s viticultural history dates back to the Roman Empire, with grape cultivation and wine production becoming deeply ingrained in the country’s culture. During the Age of Exploration, Portuguese navigators spread their vines to far-flung corners of the world, leaving an indelible mark on global viticulture. This legacy is evident in the names of grape varieties like Touriga Nacional and Albariño, which have found homes in places as far away as Australia and California.
One of the most compelling aspects of Portuguese wine is its remarkable diversity of terroirs. Each region boasts unique geological and climatic conditions that influence the characteristics of the grapes and the resulting wines. Some of the most notable regions include:
Porto and the North
Everyone knows Porto as the centre of the Port trade. Visitors can cross the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia. Here the quay is lined with Port Houses like Graham’s, owned by Symington Family Estates, who make a lovely white port. Porto is the start point for cruises up the Douro River, where the riverbanks are lined with vineyards that produce exceedingly good wines.
Further north is the Vinho Verde region, known for cultivating indigenous grape varieties. The most common white grape varieties used in Vinho Verde production include Albariño, Loureiro, Arinto, Avesso, and Trajadura. These grapes contribute to the wine’s characteristic bright acidity and aromatic profile. There are also red Vinho Verde wines, which are made from grapes like Azal, Vinhão, and Pedral. When you are in the North region the ideal companion to the crisp, white wines is Cortes Frios or Charcuterie. Look out for Bisaro products, one of the best makers of Cortes Frios. Also made in and around Porto is the moreish dense, malty Avintes bread, the decadent Glorinhas cakes, delicious Vinte Vinte chocolates, and Ecoemotion producing artesan products like cork bound notebooks.
Read Petra Shepherd’s article Seven Highlights of the Douro Vallery and Minho, when she visited a number of Quintas and Wineries, here…
Liz Gill’s has written an article Exploring the Culinary Traditions of Northern Portugal, where she gets to experience traditional grape treading. Click here… to read.
Read A Room with a View – Porto or the Douro Valley? by Fiona Mclean who compares the two. Access it here…
And Christine Hurley sails up the Douro as far as the Spanish border, read about her trip here…
The Centre of Portugal
The Centre of Portugal is a region known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and, of course, its exceptional wines. This area, encompassing wine regions like Bairrada, Dão, and Tejo, has a long history of wine production dating back centuries. Each sub-region brings its own unique characteristics to the world of Portuguese wine.
High on the list of things to see and do is a visit to Coimbra, particularly the Roman Cryptoportico and nearby Conimbriga, extensive Roman ruins. Viseu is a charming city, with its museum devoted to Grão Vasco, Portugal’s greatest artist. The magnificent cathedral is built in a mixture of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Manueline, and don’t miss the beautiful Misericórdia Church.
On the coast is Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal”, take a traditional Moliceiro boat ride through the canals and learn about the town’s connection with the cod fishing industry, the key ingredient of Portugal’s national dish, bacalhau.
Read my article Central Portugal – Two Millennia of Culture, when, amongst many other things, I visited the Paço Dos Cunhas De Santar vineyard, 5km south of Viseu. Click here… to read.
Lisbon
After enjoying all that Lisbon has to offer, the restaurants, the architecture, and the monuments the surrounding region benefits from varied wine terroirs influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which helps to moderate temperatures and provide a maritime influence on the vineyards. This results in a diverse range of microclimates that allow for the cultivation of a wide array of grape varieties.
Some of the most prominent white grape varieties in the region include Arinto, Fernão Pires, and Albariño. These grapes thrive in the maritime climate, producing refreshing and aromatic white wines with lively acidity and bright fruit flavours. Meanwhile, red varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Castelão, and Aragonez (known as Tempranillo in Spain) are also widely cultivated, giving rise to red wines with rich, robust, and often spicy characteristics. If you want to ‘Try before you Fly’ then Aldi are currently selling a cracking Lisbon red wine. Also look out for Ortodoxo cheese served with Odivelas white quince marmalade as an accompaniment.
Read Rupert Parker’s Lisbon Fish & Flavours Festival 2018 article here…
And the article Changing face of Lisbon by Judith Baker here…
Alentejo
Over the River Tagus via the impressive Vasco de Gama bridge is the Alentejo. Its terroirs vary across its subregions, which include Portalegre, Borba, Évora, Redondo, and Reguengos. The landscape is characterized by vast plains, rolling hills, and low mountains, creating a patchwork of microclimates. Soils range from granite and schist in the north to limestone and clay in the south, providing a diverse foundation for different grape varieties.
The region is famous for its red wines, which often feature indigenous grape varieties like Aragonez (also known as Tempranillo), Trincadeira, and Alicante Bouschet. These grapes thrive in the Alentejo sun, producing wines known for their full-bodied, rich, and fruity profiles. Additionally, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, and Cabernet Sauvignon are also grown in the region. Good examples of Alentejo wine can be bought at Majestic.
The region has a very rich culture, and one of its most interesting cities is Evora, a world heritage site. In the centre is the well preserved Roman Temple of Diana, and if you are not squeamish visit The Capela dos Ossos or Chapel of Bones with some 5000 skulls. It was built by Franciscan monks in the 16th century as a place to contemplate the transitory nature of life.
Thers is also a fine cathedral, an impsing city square, the Roman baths, and the Holy Office of the Inquisition from the 16th century.
Read my article The Alentejo – A Unique Historical and Culinary Destination here…
The Unsung Shores of Portugal by Adam Jacot De Boinod, featuring the coastline of the Alentejo and Algarve here…
And my review of an Alentejo wine – Trinca Bolotas – Wine from the Alentejo in Portugal here…
The Algarve
The Algarve benefits from a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters, making it ideal for grape cultivation. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean also plays a crucial role, as it moderates temperatures and provides cooling breezes. The region’s diverse topography, which includes coastal areas, river valleys, and hilly terrain, allows for a wide range of grape varieties to thrive.
Some examples of this are Arinto: A white grape variety known for its high acidity, which imparts freshness and zesty citrus notes to the wines. Antão Vaz: Another white grape, native to Portugal, known for its full-bodied character and aromatic profile, often displaying tropical fruit and floral notes. Negra Mole: An indigenous red grape variety, producing wines with soft tannins and vibrant fruitiness. One of the notable vineyards is Adega do Cantor owned by Sir Cliff Richard. Look out for Manná canned fish and pates, an ideal companion for white wines.
As you drive west from Faro the coast morphs from lively tourist destinations to a much quieter vibe, with lots of historic attractions. Away from the coast are villages like Monchique with its quaint street, artisna product shops, and Roman spa. The Moorish castle at Silves is worth a visit, and Henry the Navigator’s fort at Sagres.
Read Rupert Parker’s Algarve culinary adventure, A Gourmet Tour of the Algarve, here…
And my article The Algarve – A Rich Cultural Heritage here…
Madeira
The predominant wine on this island is, of course, Madeira, a fortified wine. Madeira wine can trace its origins back to the 15th century when Portuguese explorers, including the likes of Christopher Columbus, made the island of Madeira a pivotal stop on their journeys. They discovered that the wine, when fortified with grape spirits, became more stable during long sea voyages, gaining a unique flavour and character as it was exposed to the heat and movement of the ships.
As well as wine tours, where you can explore the island’s wine-making heritage by visiting some of the many vineyards and cellars, there are many other attractions. These include the Botanical Gardens, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Funchal Old Town (Zona Velha), Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Sacred Art), Whale and Dolphin Watching, see Caves and Volcanic Formations, and the São Jorge Waterfall.
Azores
One of the most fascinating aspects of Azorean wine production is the traditional “currais” or walled vineyards. Due to the rugged topography, vines are often planted in small, walled enclosures. These stone walls protect the vines from the harsh Atlantic winds, create a warm microclimate, and provide a stunning visual contrast against the lush green landscape.
The main grape varieties cultivated in the Azores are Verdelho, Arinto, and Terrantez. Verdelho in particular has become the emblematic grape of the region. It is known for producing wines with vibrant acidity, aromatic complexity, and a distinct mineral character. These wines often exhibit notes of citrus, tropical fruits, and sometimes a subtle saline quality, reflecting the influence of the surrounding ocean.
Other activities in the Azores include explore nature reserves and parks, hiking and trekking, whale watching, hot springs and thermal baths, diving and snorkelling, birdwatching, visit historical sites. surfing and water sports, and fishing.
Wherever you choose to go in Portugal you will get a warm welcome, lots of things to see and do, and enjoy some of the best food and wine in the world.
For more information on Portugal visit https://www.visitportugal.com/en
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