We\u2019ve created this Beginner’s Guide to Portuguese Wine, so you know all about the wine regions, the varieties and how to order like a local. Hint:<\/strong> We call it vinho<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The best part is that you don\u2019t have to spend a fortune to get a reasonable bottle of wine here (some can cost less than \u20ac5)!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So, whether you\u2019re browsing through the wine list at a restaurant or your local supermarket, we\u2019ll guide you through everything you need to know about Portuguese wine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Photo Credit: Rafael Ojea Perez<\/a> , Text Overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Depending on where you go, the list of wines might be on the food menu. However, most restaurants will have a separate wine list. If they don\u2019t give you one straight away, you can ask for it. In Portuguese, the wine list is Carta dos Vinhos<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Some tascas<\/em><\/a> will also have a vinho da casa<\/em>, a cheap house wine which can be a hit or miss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Whether you\u2019re in the mood for a red, a port, or a ros\u00e9, if you want to order like a local you need to know these words:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n White Wine – Vinho Branco<\/em> Below you’ll find a brief overview of each regi\u00e3o<\/em> (region). If you\u2019re still unsure what to go for, ask the waiter for a recommendation\u2014 O que recomenda?<\/em> If it\u2019s white wine he\u2019ll probably ask you if you want doce<\/em> (sweet), meio-seco<\/em> (medium-dry) or seco<\/em> (dry). For red, you can choose between leve<\/em> (light), m\u00e9dio<\/em> (medium), or encorpado<\/em> (full-bodied).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In most places, there\u2019s the option to choose between a garrafa<\/em> (bottle) or a copo<\/em> (glass). An average glass of wine in Lisbon costs around \u20ac3, and a bottle around \u20ac15. If you\u2019re with a friend, we recommend ordering a bottle to share.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You\u2019ve got the wine, now relax and enjoy it! If you like it, make a note of it, so you know what to get in the future. But why stick to just one when there are so many good wines to try? Soon, you\u2019ll be an expert on Portuguese wine!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The first step to becoming an expert in Portuguese wine is to get familiar with the regions. Only then you can know the difference between a Douro, a D\u00e3o and an Alentejo wine. So, let\u2019s give you a quick overview starting from the North to the South.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Stretching from Minho to the Douro, Vinho Verde<\/a> is both a wine region and a type of wine. But what is Vinho Verde<\/em>? While it translates to green wine, it means young wine. That\u2019s because the bottles are released within 3-6 months after harvest and drunk almost immediately. Most Vinho Verde<\/em> is actually white wine, but it can also be red or ros\u00e9. It\u2019s the region that makes it a Vinho Verde<\/em>. A glass of green wine is a summer staple for us Portuguese, and it\u2019s the perfect match for a seafood meal<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Vinho Verde Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta da Aveleda<\/a>, Quinta do Ameal and Pal\u00e1cio da Brejoeira<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Not many tourists venture out to this remote corner of Portugal, let alone experience its wine. The high altitudes and the extreme climate is what sets Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes apart from other Portuguese wine regions. The most common wine from this region is Transmontano<\/em>, a full-bodied red with high alcohol levels. They also produce Vinho dos Mortos<\/em><\/a> (Wine of the Dead), a type of wine that was buried by locals during the French Invasion, so it wouldn\u2019t get stolen. That\u2019s how much we love our wine! Today there are still a few farmers who keep this tradition alive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta das Corri\u00e7as<\/a> and Quinta De Arcoss\u00f3<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Search for a Portuguese wine region, and you\u2019ll probably come across the Douro Valley. It\u2019s one of the oldest wine regions in the world! Its vineyards are scattered across steep hills providing breathtaking views over the Douro river. The region is most famous for the Vinho do Porto<\/em>, aka, port wine, a sweet drink often served with dessert. Here at Devour Lisbon, we love P\u00earas B\u00eabedas<\/em><\/a>, delicious poached pears soaked in Vinho do Porto<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Douro and Porto Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta da Pacheca<\/a>, Quinta da Romaneira<\/a>, and Lavradores de Feitoria<\/a> Insider\u2019s tip:<\/strong> One of the best ways to explore the Douro region is to take the historical steam train<\/a> which runs between June and October.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Are you a champagne fan? If so, T\u00e1vora-Varosa is the place for you! This region offers grapes with high acidity which are perfect for sparkling wine. It\u2019s here you\u2019ll find most plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Portugal, two grapes from the Champagne region in France.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best T\u00e1vora-Varosa Wineries:<\/strong> Caves da Murganheira<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tucked between high mountains, the region of D\u00e3o offers some of the best Portuguese red wines. Laf\u00f5es, on the other hand, produces more acidic wines, similar to the Vinho Verde region. To learn more about the wines of D\u00e3o, we suggest visiting the Solar do Vinho do D\u00e3o<\/a> in Viseu.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best D\u00e3o and Laf\u00f5es Wineries:<\/strong> Casa de Santar<\/a> and Casa da Passarella<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Bairrada is a small region of Portugal located near the Atlantic. It\u2019s famous for its delicious suckling pig (leit\u00e3o \u00e0 Bairrada<\/em>), and for its red wines. The white grapes from this region are mostly used to produce sparkling wine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Bairrada Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta das B\u00e1geiras<\/a> and Quinta dos Abibes<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Beira Interior is home to Serra da Estrela, one of Portugal\u2019s highest mountains. It\u2019s where most locals go to see snow in the winter! When it comes to wine regions, Beira Interior is still the underdog, but we encourage you to try their wines, especially the red and the ros\u00e9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Beira Interior Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta dos Termos<\/a>, Quinta do Cardo<\/a> and Adega Castelo Rodrigo<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you order the house wine at a Lisbon restaurant<\/a>, odds are you\u2019ve tried Tejo wine. Previously known as Ribatejo, this region produces large quantities of wine which supply most restaurants in the capital. Wines from this region are among the most affordable in Portugal. The white wines tend to be very fruity with tropical aromas, and the reds have soft tannins.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Tejo Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta da Alorna<\/a> and Quinta da Lagoalva<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As a wine region, Lisbon<\/a> offers a variety of wines, ranging from light whites to liqueur wines. Some of the best wines from this region come from Alenquer, Bucelas, Colares, and Carcavelos. You might have heard of Carcavelos for its beaches<\/a>, but did you know this seaside town makes a delicious fortified wine? It doesn\u2019t produce as much as it used to, but if you spot it on a menu we recommend giving it a go!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Lisbon Wineries:<\/strong> Adega Regional de Colares<\/a>, Adega do Casal da Manteiga<\/a> and Quinta das Carrafouchas<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are many reasons to visit Set\u00fabal. The friendly dolphins, the Natural Park of Arr\u00e1bida, and the stunning beaches of Sesimbra, but for wine lovers, it\u2019s the Moscatel.<\/em> Primarily made from Muscat grapes, Moscatel<\/em> is sweet and fruity, making it the perfect drink to end a meal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Set\u00fabal Wineries:<\/strong> Jos\u00e9 Maria da Fonseca<\/a>, Bacalh\u00f4a Vinhos de Portugal<\/a> and Quinta de Alcube<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cork trees, vines, and olive groves make up the landscape of Alentejo. Alentejo wines are up there with the Douro as one of the best Portuguese wines. The reds are full-bodied and fruity, while the whites tend to be mild and slightly acidic. Whichever you go for, it\u2019s hard to go wrong with an Alentejo wine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Alentejo Wineries:<\/strong> Herdade do Espor\u00e3o<\/a>, Herdade dos Grous<\/a>, and Adega Mayor<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re like most tourists, your first visit to Portugal was probably to the Algarve. And we don\u2019t blame you! The constant sunshine and the white sandy beaches attract thousands here every year, including locals. Winemaking took the back seat for a while, but recently there\u2019s been an effort to revitalize it. Algarve wines are smooth and fruity, and with the weather being quite warm, the reds are usually better than the whites.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Algarve Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta dos Vales<\/a>, Monte da Casteleja<\/a> and Adega do Cantor<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You\u2019ll find some of Portugal\u2019s most incredible landscapes in these two archipelagos. We love the subtropical weather of Madeira and the crater lakes of Azores.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As for the wine, it\u2019s hard to take sides, since they produce very different things. Madeira wine is considered one of the best fortified wines in the world, and it can last for centuries. Shakespeare even mentions it in his play, Henry IV!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Azores has nine islands, but only three of them focus on wine production: Pico, Graciosa, and Terceira. The region is known for Vinho de Cheiro<\/em>, a sweet fragrant wine with low alcohol levels, which is also used in traditional dishes<\/a> from the Azores, like the Polvo Guisado<\/em> (octopus stew).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Best Madeira Wineries:<\/strong> Blandy’s Wine Lodge<\/a> and Vinhos Barbeito<\/a>.![\"Are](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-1.png\")
How to order wine in Portugal<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Get the wine list<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Select your wine<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Red Wine – Vinho Tinto<\/em>
Green Wine – Vinho Verde<\/em>
Ros\u00e9 Wine – Vinho Ros\u00e9<\/em>
Port Wine – Vinho do Porto<\/em>
Madeira Wine – Vinho da Madeira<\/em>
Moscatel Wine – Vinho Moscatel<\/em> or Moscatel<\/em>
Sparkling Wine – Espumante<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Pick your region<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Bottle or Glass<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. Enjoy and repeat<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Other useful words:<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
14 Portuguese Wine Regions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Vinho Verde<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"If](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-palacio-da-brejoeira-green-wine-estate-1.jpg\")
2. Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Douro and Porto<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Best Port Wine Cellars:<\/strong> Caves Ferreira<\/a>, Real Companhia Velha<\/a>, and Taylor\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"If](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-douro-valley-1.jpg\")
4. T\u00e1vora-Varosa<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. D\u00e3o and Laf\u00f5es<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
6. Bairrada<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
7. Beira Interior<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Beira](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-beira-interior-sortelha-1.jpg\")
8. Tejo<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
9. Lisbon Region<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
10. Set\u00fabal Peninsula<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Moscatel](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-josC3A9-maria-da-fonseca-moscatel.jpg\")
11. Alentejo<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"If](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-vineyard-alentejo-1.jpg\")
12. Algarve<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Looking](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-algarve-vineyard-quinta-dos-vales-1.jpg\")
13 & 14. Madeira & Azores<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Best Azores Wineries:<\/strong> Quinta da Jardinete<\/a> and Cooperativa Vitivinicola Da Ilha Do Pico<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Looking](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/portuguese-wine-madeira-the-old-blandy-1.jpg\")