Portugal

Wine Portugal: discover wines from Portugal at Ritschard Weine

What makes Portuguese wines so unique?

Portugal is a country that impresses with its immense variety of grape varieties and wine styles. During the long dictatorship, Portugal was largely spared from the trend of importing French grape varieties, which have often standardised global viticulture. This allowed the country to preserve its unique wine tradition. One example of a unique wine style from Portugal is Vinho Verde.

Today, there are around 341 authorised grape varieties in Portugal, of which 250 are used commercially. The most important red varieties include Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz, Baga, Castelão Francês, Touriga Francesca and Touriga Nacional. A notable red wine is Vinho Tinto. Among the white grape varieties, Ferñao Pires, Malvasia, Síria, Loureiro Branco, Arinto, Vital and Azal Branco are particularly noteworthy.

Wine-growing in Portugal has a long and rich tradition, which has been significantly influenced by various cultures. The Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans brought the first vines and knowledge of viticulture to the country. Although viticulture was only practised on a modest scale during Moorish rule, it received a significant boost in the 12th century with the founding of 18 monasteries by the Cistercian Order. These monasteries played a crucial role in the development of viticulture and the establishment of Portugal's well-known wine diversity. A historically important wine is Vinho do Porto, which has deep roots in the history of Portugal.

Today, Portugal has one of the largest vineyard areas in the world, covering about 239,000 hectares. These vineyards allow for an annual production of around 6 to 7 million hectolitres, making the country a major player in the global wine industry. There are five major wine-growing zones, including the well-known Vinho Regional Lisboa, which extends around the capital, Lisbon, and offers a wide range of wines. These areas contain over 40 quality wine-producing regions, 26 of which have the prestigious DOC status, equivalent to the Spanish DO or French AOC system.

Particularly noteworthy is the diversity of indigenous grape varieties in Portugal, including varieties such as Mourisco Tinto and Tempranillo, which thrive in the vineyards of the various regions. A rarity is the Colares, a wine from Extremadura, which is grown north of Sintra in sandy soils near the Atlantic coast. These wines are so unique because they come from ungrafted European vines, which, unlike many other European vines, were not destroyed by phylloxera in the 19th century.

However, the importance of viticulture to Portugal goes beyond wine production. Portugal is also a leader in the production of cork stoppers and is home to 31% of the world's cork oak trees. These cork oaks play a central role in the wine industry, particularly in the storage and ageing of products such as the famous port wines.

Wine-making in Portugal is not only an important industry, but is also deeply rooted in the country's culture and history. From the early influences of the Romans to today's modern wineries, which offer high-quality red wines and other products at a fair price, Portugal's rich tradition and special climate are reflected in every drop of wine.

History and development of Port wine

Port wine is undoubtedly the most famous wine of Portugal and bears the name of the port city of Porto. ‘Vinho do Porto’ is the Portuguese term for port wine. However, a wine may only be labelled as port wine if it comes from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Port wine is both time-consuming and expensive to produce: flavourless alcohol with an alcohol content of 77% is added to the wine, which is still partially fermenting. After this process, the port wine first matures in barrels before it has to continue maturing in the bottle to develop its full quality.

Portugal's wine regions

Portugal is home to a variety of wine regions, each with its own characteristics and historical significance. One of the most famous is the Douro Valley, which is not only the birthplace of port wine but also one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world. The steep terraces along the Douro River are ideal for growing grapes, especially the Touriga Nacional, which is essential for producing full-bodied, rich red wines.

In the northwest lies the Vinho Verde wine region, known for its young, fresh and slightly sparkling wines. These wines are often a blend of different native grape varieties and are appreciated for their lively acidity and light body, making them perfect for summer. Vinho Verde is characterised by its unique combination of freshness and minerality, which sets it apart from other wines.

Further south, the mountainous Dão region enjoys a temperate climate that produces elegant and well-balanced wines. The region is famous for its reds, particularly those made from Touriga Nacional, which are known for their ageing potential and complex flavour profile.

The Bairrada region, close to the Atlantic, is known for its robust reds, made mainly from the Baga grape. These wines are characterised by high acidity and tannic structure, which makes them excellent for laying down. Bairrada is also a major producer of sparkling wines.

The Alentejo region in the centre of Portugal is known for its wide plains and sun-drenched vineyards. A wide variety of wines are produced in this region, from full-bodied reds to aromatic whites. Alentejo wines are often made from native grape varieties such as Aragonez and Trincadeira and are known for their richness and soft texture.

Finally, to the south, the Algarve region benefits from a warm, Mediterranean climate that is ideal for producing ripe, fruity wines. Although best known as a tourist destination, the Algarve also offers excellent red and white wines, particularly from Negra Mole and other local varieties.

These and other areas, such as Tejo, Alentejo and Beira Interior, illustrate the rich diversity of Portuguese viticulture, which has managed to retain its unique character by relying on native grape varieties and traditional winemaking methods. Another important region is Vinho Regional Lisboa, known for its diverse and high-quality wines.

Wine + Portugal = Port wine

Port wine is a sweet fortified wine made from grapes grown in the Upper Douro region of Portugal. ‘Vinho do Porto’ is the Portuguese term for Port wine. As a rule, Port wines are blends of wines from several vintages and several local dark grape varieties.

Port wines are all prepared in the same way. After the harvest, the aim is to extract colour and tannin from the grape skins as quickly as possible. Traditionally, the grapes are trodden by foot for this purpose – today, large machines do the job. Fermentation is interrupted by adding spirits to the must. This kills the yeast, stops the fermentation and the result is a wine that is sweet and high in alcohol. Before blending and bottling, the wine is aged for a period of time. This maturation has a major influence on determining the desired port wine style.

Port wine styles

Ruby port wines

These Port wines have a very dark colour and are fruity. After spriting, they are aged for a period of time in large, predominantly old oak casks, but occasionally also in stainless steel tanks, and then bottled ready for drinking. Ruby-style wines usually show aromas of cooked black fruits such as black cherry or blackberry.

Inexpensive Ruby Ports are generally sweet, simple and fruity wines with less tannin than other Ruby Ports. They often have notes of red fruits in addition to the cooked fruit already mentioned. For Reserve Ruby Ports, on the other hand, wines of better quality and thus with greater flavour intensity are used. These sometimes mature longer than normal Ruby Ports, so that the added alcohol becomes softer and can be better integrated.

Late Bottle Vintage (LBV) Port is similar in style to Reserve Ruby, but, as the name suggests, contains only wines from a single vintage.

Vintage Port

Vintage Port is made from the best wines of a single, particularly good year. This Port is extremely rich in tannins and has very concentrated aromas. Vintage Port has the potential to age in the bottle for at least 20 years, and in some cases even longer. Over time, the colour of this port changes from ruby to garnet red, while the wine develops complex tertiary aromas of dried fruit, leather and forest floor. Since a thick sediment forms in the bottle, the wine must be decanted before serving. Vintage Ports are not produced every year. Port producers only ‘declare’ a Vintage Port in the best years.

Tawny Ports

These Ports take their name from their colour, which is a rich, dark brown (tawny in English). The best of these wines acquire their colour during the long oxidative ageing process in small casks. Over time, the wine becomes increasingly darker in colour, developing extremely complex notes of dried fruit and intentional oxidation (such as walnut, coffee or caramel). Wines aged in this way are usually given an age indication of 10, 20, 30 or 40 years, although there are some Tawny Ports that are aged for longer. Cheaper Tawny Ports are simple, fruity, low in tannin and pale in colour.

Buying wines from Portugal

For wine lovers who want to experience the diversity and quality of Portuguese wines, buying wine from Portugal is a great choice. Vinho Verde is a particularly popular choice. You can easily buy quality Portuguese wines from home and we will deliver it directly to your home. Our selection includes wines from various regions such as Vinho Verde, Douro, Bairrada and Dão.

Portugal is a true paradise for wine lovers, with an enormous potential of native grape varieties that thrive in the country's diverse regions. Vinho Tinto is a remarkable red wine. With an impressive number of unique vineyards and a rich winemaking tradition, the products that emerge are characterised by their versatility and quality, vintage after vintage.

Portuguese reds, often made from varieties such as Tinta Barroca, are characterised by complex aromas and a special maturing process. These wines have different designations (also called product names), depending on their degree of maturity: ‘Verde’ stands for young wine, ‘Maduro’ for old or matured wine. The ‘Reserva’ wines must be aged for at least three years, one year of which must be in the bottle. The ‘Garrafeira’ wines have similar ageing periods to the Reserva wines, but have a higher alcohol content. Vinho do Porto is an important wine in this category.

The vintages play an important role in the characteristics of these wines, and the winemakers pay careful attention to the influence of the landscape and climate. In addition, organic farming is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in these regions. This includes preserving the extensive forest cover, which is important for viticulture because the natural cork stoppers made from Portuguese cork play a central role in the storage and ageing of the wines.

Our online shop offers you a carefully selected collection of Portuguese wines that represent the best of these traditional vineyards and vintages. Discover the variety and quality that Portuguese wines have to offer and enjoy a piece of Portuguese wine culture in every glass.

Questions and answers about Portuguese wine

What wine do people drink in Portugal?

Excellent port wine is widely available, but the country's top quality comes from Porto and the Douro Valley. Vinho Verde, Portugal's most famous white wine, is a refreshing, easy-drinking and affordable wine from the northern region of Minho.

What is Portuguese wine called?

Vinho Tinto: In Portugal, red wine is called Vinho Tinto. It is only in the last few decades that winemakers have started to produce this wine in greater quantities. The wines made from native grape varieties are particularly impressive and have won over international critics. A special insider tip is the red wine from the Alentejo region.

Is wine grown in Portugal?

Wine-growing areas and climatic conditions: full-bodied, tannin-rich wines are produced in the interior of the country. The north, with its rather cool and rainy climate, is particularly well suited to growing white grape varieties. Portugal has a total of five wine-growing regions, which comprise more than 40 quality wine-growing areas.

Which wine in Portugal?

Portugal offers ideal climatic conditions for viticulture. The country's most famous wine is Port, closely followed by Madeira and Vinho Verde. Vinho Verde is characterised by its light, fresh and slightly sparkling red and white wines.

What is Port called in Portugal?

In Portuguese, port wine is called ‘Vinho do Porto’. It takes its name from the port city of Porto at the mouth of the Douro, where the fortified wine was originally stored until it had matured and was ready for shipment.