The wine in Portugal
There is a lot to tell about the wine in Portugal. In this article we will only give the gist of things to give readers a general idea of the wonders of wine in the country. The qualities of Portuguese wine are already known in the world. However, for those interested in getting to know in depth the rich world of wine in Portugal, it is worth coming to this charming country to learn, explore, experiment and above all to taste the “treasures” of the local wine.
Portugal is a fascinating country with a long history and rich heritage. The tradition is also reflected in wine production. Already in the ancient days, the peoples who lived in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, now Portugal, were engaged in crafts.
In our time, the way of life of the residents is also based on wine, which plays a significant part in the local culture. The consumption of wine in the country is very high and it is poured like water. The prices of the wines are affordable for every pocket as the locals and tourists enjoy a variety of wonderful wines.
The wine culture in the country developed in relative isolation. Therefore, many of the local grape varieties do not grow in other parts of the world. There are few imported varieties that have adapted to the natural conditions in the country. Throughout Portugal there are many vineyards where vines are grown to make wine. The large selection of grape varieties influences and enriches the abundant variety of the many different types of wine. This is in addition to the soil, weather conditions and technology.
The vineyards are part of the beautiful landscape that Portugal has been blessed with. In some wineries, the grapes are still traditionally crushed for the production of wine, and in some, modern equipment is used. Also, there is Farms called Quinta where fine wine is produced.
There are 3 levels of wine quality in Portugal. which can be identified by the label printed on the bottle:
- DOC or DOP – wine that comes from a defined geographical area where the grapes have maximum yield and are recommended and licensed for wine production. This is to control the quality of the wine. There are 31 such areas in Portugal.
- IGP – regional wine. In Portugal there are 14 extensive regions with fewer restrictions on the types of grapes and the yield.
- Vinho – basic table wine. Most likely some of these wines exist only in Portugal.
There is a committee that oversees the different regions and makes sure that the quality and character of the wine is maintained in each region.
In Portugal, large quantities of unique and wonderful wines with “character” are produced. The diverse selection of flavors and aromas is impressive and extremely rich. There are red, white, pink, sparkling, dry and sweet wines.
Some of the prominent wine regions
One of the well-known regions in Portugal is The Douro Valley which is in the north of the country, declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site. In addition to its great beauty, it is also famous thanks to the production industry of many high-quality wines. The seller Of all of them is the sweet and fortified “port” wine which is named after the city Porto which is west of the valley.
Area Alentejo located in south central Portugal. In addition to a thriving wine industry, it is known for the cork oak forests that grow there. He is the world leader in the production of bottle caps.
The area where the green wine (Vinho Verde) is produced is in the northwest of Portugal. The name of the wine does not indicate its color. In this category there are pink, white and red wines that are characterized as “young”, light and suitable for hot weather.
Along the coast, from Lisbon north, it is one of the most active and diverse places in Portugal’s wine industry. Many high-quality wines from the various regions are exported to other countries. Most of the wines are available and great for everyday drinking at affordable prices.
Cheers! In Portuguese Saudji !