to homepage to main navigation to main content to contact form to search form

Portugal

Portugal – Much more than port

Situated on the southwestern tip of Europe, this country is, despite its small size, blessed with a multitude of landscapes. Austere mountains alternate with green valleys and golden beaches. Vines have thrived against this backdrop for over 4,000 years, brought to the peninsula by Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans.

Portugal has over 500 autochthonous varieties. The term derives from ancient Greek, and means roughly “of the land itself.”

White wines from Portugal

In Stock

Quinta de la Rosa white wine Reserva 2023

DOC Douro, 750 ml
In Stock
In Stock

Crazy Hatter Alentejo White wine 2020

DOC, Niepoort, 750 ml

Red wines from Portugal

In Stock

Quinta de la Rosa red wine 2021

DOC Douro, 750 ml
In Stock

Passagem Reserva 2020

DOC Douro, Quinta das Bandeiras, 750 ml
In Stock

Passagem Reserva 2022

DOC Douro, Quinta das Bandeiras, 750 ml

South wines from Portugal

In Stock
Parker 90 Points
Quinta de la Rosa Tawny 20 years old

Quinta de la Rosa Tawny 20 years old

DO Douro, 500 ml
In Stock
Parker 89 Points
Quinta de la Rosa Tawny 10 years old

Quinta de la Rosa Tawny 10 years old

DO Douro, 500 ml
In Stock
Parker 92 Points
Quinta de la Rosa Finest Reserve Port

Quinta de la Rosa Finest Reserve Port

DO Douro, 500 ml
In Stock

Quinta de la Rosa White Port

DO Douro, 500 ml

Wine has been grown in Portugal since antiquity. Finding its way to Portugal in the second century CE, Christianity was overjoyed by Portuguese wines, integrating them quickly into its ceremonies. Viticulture stagnated, however, under Moorish rule, which lasted from the 8th to the 12th century.

The most famous wines

After Portugal gained independence in 1143, lively trade with England developed. Wine was sent to the kingdom by the barrel. Port wine had not yet been invented, coming first into fashion in 1678. A Liverpool wine merchant sent his two sons to Portugal to search for a mysterious spiritual person in the Alto Douro region who added Brandy to the local red wine during fermentation, resulting in a sweet wine that was high in alcohol. The English were very amused by this.

Today, the Alto Douro region is a UNESCO world heritage site. In fact, it’s the oldest protected wine growing region in the world. The more southerly region of Alentejo, with its plains that stretch as far as the eye can see, has also been declared a UNESCO world heritage site.

A small country of great contrasts

Portuguese wine growing is characterized by contrasts. The interior of the country produces mostly heavy, tannic red wines and port. In the cool, Atlantic climate of the north, however, you will find mainly white, light and crisp wines.

But it’s pointless to compare wine regions. They are all unique. And the number of top producers is only increasing across the entire country.

The economic factor

Wine provides jobs for 15% of the Portuguese population, and exports provide around 650 million euro a year. The trend is growing, as Portugal's former colonies, including Angola, Macau, and Brazil, are demonstrating increased interest in the drink.

Cork is also an important export. Portugal is responsible for around 75 percent of global annual production, so there’s a piece of Portugal in almost every bottle.

Country

Australia

Australia

Australia – A rapid rise to the international elite.

Read more
Chile

Chile

Chile – Where fortune came from tragedy

Read more
Italy

Italy

Italy – Where wine is a way of life

Read more