Vinismo is written by its readers -- Internet users like you -- and we need your help! Try our getting started guide to learn how.
Portugal is a wine-producing country.
edit Facts and figures
- Winegrowing area: 350,000 hectares (864,900 acres)
- Annual production average: 1 to 1.4 billion liters, among which 300 million liters of Vinho Verde, 65 million liters of Port, and 25 million liters of Madeira.
- Main varietals:
- Red: Touriga nacional, Tinta pinheira, Vinhão, and Tinta roriz (a.k.a. Tempranillo)
- White: Loureiro, Trajadura, Arinto, Malvasia
edit History
Like its neighboring nations, Portugal has been producing wines for centuries, but it started to boost wine production during the Franco-English wars of the 17th century. Unable to import French wines, English merchants resorted to Portuguese wines, aided by a tax relief on their import. At the same time, the English invented the process of fortifying Porto wines. The goal was to ensure their conservation during the trip back to England, which had to be made by sea to avoid trespassing French territories.
edit Geography
edit Climate
Portuguese climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean in the North, and the Mediterranean Sea in the South. Temperatures are similar to those of Spain, with a winter average of 16°C.
edit Viticulture
edit Appellation system
By order of (theorical) quality level:
- Denominação de Origem Controlada or DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin): designates wines of a controlled geographic origin, made according to strict production rules.
- Indicação de Proveniência Regulamentada or IPR (Indication of Regulated Provenance): Designates wines of a controlled origin, however with less strict rules than the DOC.
- Vinho Regional: table wines made in a specific region.
- Vinho de Mesa: table wines produced in Portugal with no indication of a specific region.
edit See also
- Vine and Wine Institute: Official website (in Portuguese)
