ViniPortugal launched the Wines of Portugal Challenge and more than 1,400 wines were registered for the 8th edition of its kind. The initiative aimed to distinguish the diversity and excellence of Portuguese wines through evaluation by national and international experts and 419 medals were awarded, of which 35 in the category of Great Gold, 103 of Gold, and 281 of Silver.
The most awarded region was the Douro, which reached a total of 12 medals, followed by the regions of Dão and Alentejo.
Let’s find out more about Portugal’s wine regions that produce great and delicious wines and when you visit, make sure you are ready for some wine tastings and winery visits.
Douro Valley
The Douro region dates back to 1756 and is the oldest wine region in the world, its enchanted valleys, and landscapes are simply beautiful and magical.
The main ambassador of the Portuguese wines was born in the Douro region and is, of course, the well-known Port Wine. But this wine is not all this region has to offer, as its variety of table wines are also worldwide equally appreciated.
Dão
Located in the mountainous and temperate climate Centre Region of the country, in the area of the Rio Mondego and Dão rivers.
The area is home to several dozen different indigenous grapes and offers a variety of aromatic, balanced, and fruity white wines as well as full-bodied, aromatic, and complex red wines.
Vinho Verde
This region is the largest Vinho Verde (Green Wine) region in Portugal that produces around 85 million liters of Vinho Verde every year and has a large variety of grapes such as Avesso, Azal, Alvarinho, Arinto, Loureiro, and Trajadura.
For the Green Wine enthusiasts, there is a lot to discover in the scenic landscape, and flavors within the secrets of Vinho Verde production.
Tavora-Varosa
This region has its unique climate and soil conditions. At an altitude of 500 to 800 meters above sea level, and harsh winters, mostly granitic soils poor in limestone, sometimes schist and acid, with marked erosion, make this a special region great for the production of sparkling wines.
Trás-os-Montes
Across a wide range of altitudes, you can see vineyards and their vast wine variety. At the lowest altitudes, you will find the full-bodies wines while at the highest altitudes the light-bodied ones. The semi-sweet sparkling rose wine produced here was one of its first wines to be internationally recognized
Here the grapes retain good acidity and fruity flavors which are perfect for the production of sparkling wines and this is the first region in Portugal to be demarcated for sparkling wines, in 1989.
Bairrada
Due to its proximity to the sea, mild rainy winters and hot summers the region registers great thermal amplitude where sometimes the temperature difference reaches 20ºC making it the perfect conditions to maintain the grape’s acidity and giving it freshness to the wines produced during the ripening period.
The most popular wines here are made from Baga, in the red wines, densely structured, complex, blackberry-fruited, and aromatic, with marked acidity. And the Bical, in the white wines giving it lowery-aromatic examples to wines with mineral and citrus, that are often unoaked, and can be capable of ageing to creamy, intense complexity.
Beira Interior
In a constant discovery of new flavors and aromas, this region produces a range of white, red, and rose wines, as well as natural sparkling wines of great quality due to its vast variety of grapes.
Beira Interior presents itself as a region of excellence and quality for the production of great wines.
Lisbon
Lisbon is Portugal’s second-largest wine-producing region by volume, after the Douro. This region was known as Estremadura until 2008. Lisbon wine region produces and sells many excellent wines.
The vines established along the coastline suffer from a strong and decisive Atlantic influence, while the vines established inland, protected from the maritime influence by the various mountains, benefit from a transitional Mediterranean climate.
Setúbal
The dessert wine of Setúbal is made of the varieties Moscatel and Moscatel Roxo, and it is one of the oldest and most famous wines in the world and making this region a leading role in the history of Portuguese wines.
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