Portugal
Definition - What does Portugal mean?
Portugal is surrounded by the neighboring nation of Spain on the east and north, and it boasts a long coastal area along the Atlantic Ocean on its western and southern sides. So, the temperate climate in Portugal, known as the Mediterranean climate, and their alluvial soil make it conducive to higher quality vines.
Portugal is mostly famous for its red, fortified wine, port.
There are six main wine producing regions in Portugal:
- Monaco
- Lima
- Braga
- Penafiel
- Basto
- Amarante
WineFrog explains Portugal
Vinho Portugal is a huge consumer of wine and it also produces a wide variety of unusual wines. Unlike the commonly found wine styles, such as Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons, Douro Valley, which lies Northern Portugal, produces fortified wines of various styles. Bairrada, Dao, and the Alentejo are the winemaking regions that are producing exciting new wines, different from traditional varieties. There is a huge demand for wines in the domestic market.
Along with Port wines, Vinho wines are also largely exported. These wines are made using grapes that are slightly under-ripe. Douro table wines are another variety of wine which are gaining more popularity all over the world.
Another well-known Portuguese wine variety is Dao. This wine is produced in the mountainous region of Portugal, which has a temperate climate. Bairrada wine is another Portuguese wine variety, which is produced in the Região Demarcada da Bairrada. The grapes used to produce this wine is grown in clayey soil, hence the name Bairrada, which is derived from the word barros which means "clay." However, Port wines are the most popular and most exported variety of Portuguese wine.
