Fine Wine from Portugal

Overview

Situated at the south-western end of Europe, Portugal borders the Atlantic Ocean in the west and Spain in the east and north. The wine making history of Portugal dates back to 2000 BC, but it is not until 1986, with the membership of the European Union, that the country’s modern wine history begins.

Between 1986 and 2000, the designation of origin concept is fine-tuned and specific Denominacao de Origem Contralladas (DOC)  and regional boundaries are put in place or re-enforced where already existing. Today Portugal produces wine from the Vinho Verde in north, through the Douro, Alentejo, Lisboa, Dao, and Tejo, amongst others and all the way to Algarve in the south, while also including wine production on the islands of Pico and Madeira. Over 250 indigenous grape varieties are grown here, and while a very few are imported from elsewhere, Portugal is a real treasure chest of discoveries – most of its grape varieties are close to impossible to find anywhere else in the world.  

Key Grape Varieties    

Portugal has a very high level of grape varieties, especially indigenous sorts. Because of the diversity of grape varieties and wine styles we will discuss these within the respective regions.

Key Regions

Portugal has undergone a positive wine revolution in recent decades driven, as in the case of many countries and regions, by improved technology, attitudes and demand. There are twelve designated regions within Portugal, many offering wine of good quality.

At The Perfect Bottle however, we are currently focusing on the wines from Portugal’s arguably most famous DOCs, the Douro Valley, and the island of Madeira – both renown for especially their production of fortified wines. We offer wine from Douro Valley (Port styles) but will add table wines from this region and also Madeira down the track. 

• Douro Valley