Wine Areas
Portugal
The wines that have made Portugal well-known abroad are fortified,
port and Madeira, but they only reflect part of what the country can do.
Dao and Bairrada are best-known table wines, but not necessarily the
best: both seem to be resting on their laurels.
Cheap and cheerful everyday wines are gushing out of the huge
co-operative wineries of southern Portugal: look for names like Esporao,
Redondo, Leziria, Arruda, Alenquer and Borba. The Vinho Verde region of
the north continues to make good light, aromatic whites for export and
lean, acidic reds for home consumptions.
It is the home of port, and is in lead when it comes to quality
terms. Here, there are lots of spicy, herby, juicy reds and some good
white as well, all with plenty of character.
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Portuguese Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay
- Viosinho
- Gouvejo
- Maria Gomes
- Fernao Pires and red Baga
- Castelao Frances
- Touriga Nacional
- Alfrocheiro
Top Wine Makers in Portugal:
- Churchills's
- Quinta do Carmo
- Quinto do Crasto
- Feist
- Ramos-Pinto
- Smith Woodhouse
- Warre's
- Cockburn's
- Croft
- Delaforce
Other Wine Regions
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