March 25, 2023

Discovering the best Portuguese wines

Portuguese wines are amongst the most renowned wines in the world. Some even call Portugal, a wine lover’s paradise. It is, indeed. You probably heard about Port Wine, Madeira, or Moscatel, but there’s a lot to discover, regarding the varieties, wine regions, and how to order it. Also, bear in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a reasonable bottle of wine, some of them can cost less than 5€. Paradise, hum?

Pick the wine production region

When looking at a Portuguese wine bottle label you probably won’t find that much information about the grape used as raw material. This is because each region of Portugal has developed unique winemaking techniques, which end up being more important to the consumer than the strain used.

Next, discover the main wine regions of Portuguese wine.

Minho region

From Minho, next to Galícia, to the Douro, this region produces what we could call young wine, bottles can be released within 6 months. This region can actually produce white wine, red, and rosé. A glass of fresh and fruity green wine though goes perfectly with fish or seafood and it’s a favorite for summer hot nights in Portugal.

Douro wine region

Place of production of Port Wine, it is one of the most important wine regions in the world – and possibly one of the oldest. With beautiful landscapes, it is bathed by the Douro River, which rises in Spain and flows into the Atlantic. The climate is quite intense: winter is harsh and summer is extremely hot. The soil is a mixture of granite and shale, rich in nutrients that allow roots to penetrate in search of water from the river.

Dão wine region

Known by many as the Portuguese Burgundy, the Dão region is characterized by wines with very present acidity and complex aromas, as well as great aging potential. It was recognized in 1908 as a demarcated wine production region, undergoing a renewal in its legislation until 1990, when it became a Controlled Denomination of Origin.

The star of the region is the Touriga Nacional variety, the main Portuguese red grape that produces wines with high alcohol content and well-accentuated tannins.

Alentejo wine region

The Alentejo, unlike the previous regions, is in the south of Portugal, so many of the conditions are significantly different: the soil is composed of schist and sand, the altitude is lower and the climate is warm, with mild winters and low incidence of rain.

Most Alentejo wines are full-bodied reds. Among the main vineyards planted in the region are the Portuguese Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Touriga Nacional. It is also possible to find wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Madeira Wine

Madeira Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean almost a thousand kilometers from Lisbon. Despite the distance, it is also a very important region for Portuguese winemaking, responsible for generating the famous Madeira Wine. The main features of the site are the basaltic volcanic soil and the proximity to the sea. In addition, summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild.

If you want to get all the details about our wines, visit the official website Wines of Portugal.

Luxury private tours through some of the most renowned wineries in Portugal

Our Private Tours to famous Portuguese wineries can be tailor-made and perfectly suitable to your availability. A premium service that provides you with a highly qualified driver and a first-class fleet. Amiroad Luxury Transports helps you to choose and schedule a perfect tour, ask for a quotation and we’ll get back to you in a blink of an eye.