The Wines of Portugal, an Old Country With a Young Spirit

Portugal is larger than life. Separated from Spain by mountain ranges at the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal has it all. The cool Atlantic breeze freshens the country's coastal vineyards, while a traditional Mediterranean climate lies further inland.

Port is undoubtedly the country's better-known agricultural product; the fortified wine has been in vogue for over three centuries. Still, Portugal is more than inky, sweet wine. Its repertoire is extensive and quite delicious! Here's all you need to know about Portugal's most memorable wines.

Portugal's Verdant North

Portugal's territory stretches from north to south along the Atlantic coast. It hosts a wide variety of microclimates, each suitable for a distinct wine grape. Portugal's north is lush, humid and green with a good amount of rainfall. The rain produces a stunning landscape, but not any grape can handle so much moisture.

This is the land of the famous Vinho Verde wine. Mostly made with Albarinho grapes, the inexpensive wine style can be both red and white, but it's the white wines that swoon everyone off their feet. Citrusy and crisp, pleasantly dry and expressive, these sea-scented white wines are thirst-quenching, often with a hint of sparkling effervescence. With their extraordinary quality-price ratio, they are quite the crowd-pleaser!

Vinho Verde is best enjoyed with fresh cheese and seafood: freshly chucked oysters, grilled octopus, cod and whitefish. Not surprisingly, Portugal has an impressive seafood selection.

The Douro Valley

The famous Port wine is aged and bottled in the coastal town of the same name, but the grapes that make these intense wines possible are grown in the rolling hills surrounding the Douro River. The steep vineyards go back for centuries and have always been prized for their orientation and sun exposure. The region ripens several white and red grapes, including Portugal's flagship varietal, Touriga Nacional.

There are many styles of Port, including the cherry-scented Ruby Port and the nutty, mature Tawny Port. All are fortified with a sweet, rich profile that is perfect with blue cheese or your favorite dessert. In fact, red Port is one of the few wines on the planet that goes well with chocolate.

Styles will vary mostly based on age. Ruby Port is enjoyed younger, with bright berry flavors and a hint of cocoa. Tawny Port revels in butterscotch, almonds and hazelnuts. Older quality Tawny Port can be exquisite, with some aging over 30 years. Choose with your eyes closed because they're all gorgeous and offer their own unique characteristics.

The Dry Reds From The Douro

The sweet, fortified Port might be world famous, but winemakers have been creating modern-cut dry red wines from Douro's vineyards for decades now. Hailing from the hot rugged landscape along the Douro, these structured red wines are of world-class quality. You can taste them side by side with some of the most prestigious renditions from France, Italy and California.

To fully appreciate these bold red wines, you are best pairing them with grilled meat, fatty steaks, meat stews and other hearty dishes like the local feijoada — a meaty bean stew flavored with sausages. No wine collection is complete without a few dry red wines from the Douro. The best part - they are low priced with incredible value!

Which Wine To Choose? Just Follow Your Heart!

Portugal's wine is better than ever, and although the country was once behind other European wine powerhouses like France, Italy and neighboring Spain, today, the country's wine is up there with the best.

For sweet, fortified wine, structured reds and refreshing whites, Portugal has something for every taste, food pairing and occasion. Which bottle to choose? Every wine is a memorable experience, so you won't be disappointed. Let's show Portuguese wine some love!

Thinking of visiting Portugal? The stunning natural beauty of the Douro River makes it immensely popular for river cruises. Sailing along steeply terraced vineyards is a wine country experience unlike any other. Whether you want to tour on river or on land, we can help you plan an incredible experience. Contact us today to start planning!