Synonymous with excellence when we talk about wine production, Portugal is a small territory that, from north to south and from east to west, carries an intense winemaking tradition.
There are 14 wine regions demarcated in total, each with its own peculiar characteristics that delight the eyes and the palate.
It is worth remembering that the oldest regulated wine-growing region in the world is Douro decreed by the Marquis of Pombal in 1756. Douro Valleythe vineyards spread out along the slopes bordered by the river, places from which grapes come out for splendid wines, including the emblematic Port Wine.
Also very traditional with its quality wines is the give the first demarcated region for the production of non-liqueur wines in Portugal, a title awarded in 1908.
During the filming of fourth season of CNN Travel & Gastronomy , we tour these and other areas famous for their wine heritage. Whether red, white, sparkling, liqueur, and many others, the zeal in production and quality is clear.
Thus, the country’s regions and wines are also demarcated according to origin and are controlled so that methods and authenticity are preserved.
accessible labels
With so many attributes, anyone who thinks that we have to pay a fortune to taste good labels is wrong. The good news is that, on a trip to Portugal, we managed to find excellent wines for less than 10 euros.
In my wanderings around Lisbon, in addition to visiting classic spots in the capitalto discover cool spots that unite art, shops and gastronomy and also running around the city behind the best Portuguese flavors, between starred houses and tavernsI was also able to try a range of wines from the European country.
During my stay in the capital, I went to check out the Time Out Market , modern and great gastronomic destination. The space, located in Cais do Sodré, is a real market that brings together 26 restaurants, eight bars and more than 10 commercial spaces.
Here we find several labels for up to 10 euros at National Wine Cellar a wine store that has a history that dates back to 1927 and has references from all regions of the country, including historic Port wines – there are three stores in Lisbon and also e-commerce.
To demonstrate that certain Portuguese wines have great value for money, I recommend the following 10 exceptional labels:
Quinta do Côtto Red
Produced in the parish of Cidadelhe, in the village of Mesão Frio, in the Douro region, the wine is part of the Montez Champalimaud producer, which is still behind the wines from the Paço de Teixeiró farm.
Quinta do Côtto red is a wine from a farm, that is, it ensures that it was produced and selected by the owner of the farm.
It is a great wine: I recommend the 2017 vintage, from a good harvest, but the years 2018 and 2019 also stand out. The wine is made from several varieties, such as Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz.
- Suggested price: €7.50*
Quinta dos Terms Reserva Vinhas Velhas Red
During my travels in Portugal I was able to try Quinta dos Termos Reserva Vinhas Velhas 2018, a red wine of excellent quality.
Produced in the village of Carvalhal Formoso, in the informal region of Beira Interior and facing the Serra da Estrela, the farm has its own striking terroir in which the most traditional varieties of this region are cultivated.
- Suggested price: €9.60
Luís Pato Vinhas Velhas White
The production of wines by the Pato family has been going on since the 18th century, when João Pato started bottling wines in 1970, the first being from the Bairrada region, which is located in Beira Litoral, after the demarcation.
Luís Pato, son of João, continued the work and was largely responsible for strengthening the region in the wine sector. It is worth mentioning that the region has the Baga grape as dominant.
Speaking of the white Vinhas Velhas label, the wine is a blend of grapes from three varieties (Bical, Cercial and Sercialinho), in which it has aromas of white flowers and apples and is aged for four months in stainless steel.
- Suggested price: €9.90
red clay
Produced at Herdade de Anta de Cima, in Alto Alentejo, the property belongs to the Tenreiro family, where the vineyards lean on the most fertile soils of the estate.
Interestingly, the last vines on the property were uprooted in the 1950s. In 2010, the vineyard reappeared and in 2012 the first Argilla wines were produced.
The red in the line is made from Alicante Bouschet, Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional and Petit Verdot varieties.
- Suggested price: around €7
Quinta do Sobral Reserva Red
Quinta do Sobral currently has 15 hectares of vineyards and more than 20 hectares of forest, which marks the terroir of Dão, one of the most renowned regions among Portuguese wines.
And that’s how Quinta do Sobral Reserva Red is: with personality and complex aromas of wild berries. Produced with Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro and Jaen, I recommend the 2018 vintage.
- Suggested price: €8.95
Quinta do Pessegueiro Aluzé
Coming from the most passionate landscapes of the Douro, with the river bordering the vineyards, Quinta do Pessegueiro Aluzé is produced by Quinta do Pessegueiro, in which all the grape varieties on the property are indigenous.
With an intense ruby color, the wine, especially the one referring to the 2015 vintage, is composed of a variety of grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Vinha Velha. It is an elegant wine that goes well with meats and risottos, for example.
- Suggested price: €10.20
Beyra Reserva White Quartz
Producer of a series of Portuguese wines, Rui Roboredo Madeira has among his labels the Beyra line, produced in the village of Vermiosa, in Beira Alta, among the highest vineyards in all of Portugal.
Therefore, Beyra is considered an altitude wine. Made with Sauvignon Blanc, the 2020 vintage is praised, but it is the 2021 vintage that took 92 points in the renowned Decanter magazine.
- Suggested price: €7.90
Vicentino Sauvignon Blanc
Vicentino stands out for having its vineyards close to the sea, in the Alentejo Litoral. Thus, we can expect a taste of ocean influence in the wines, notably also in the brand’s Sauvignon Blanc.
The proximity to the sea guarantees the label a more vegetal profile, with notes of tropical fruits marked by a fresh acidity, even more so in the 2019 harvest.
- Suggested price: €11.75
Carlos Reynolds Branco
The Carlos Reynolds line belongs to Reynolds, a family business based in the village of Arronches, in Alto Alentejo. The family’s history dates back to the 19th century, when Englishman Thomas Reynolds arrived in Portugal in 1820.
Today, the property has the cultivation of traditional grapes in the region on 40 hectares. Some wines even follow the name of the members, such as Gloria, Robert, Julian and Carlos himself, a member of the seventh generation of winegrowers.
The white wine comes from Arinto and Antão Vaz grapes, which are grown at an altitude of 800 meters. We note aromas of floral notes, which refer to yellow fruits; it still remains in the bottle for six months before being released to the market.
- Suggested price: €8.90
Herdade do Mouchão Dom Rafael Tinto
One of the best known wineries in Portugal, Mouchão is a pioneer of the Alicante Bouschet variety in the country. The grapes are grown in the town of Casa Branca, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, in Central Alentejo.
Among its wines, I highlight Dom Rafael Tinto, which is born from Alentejo grape varieties from old vines, such as Aragonêz, Trincadeira, Castelão and Alicante Bouschet. It has 12 months in vat and barrel and six months in bottle.
- Suggested price: €9.90
*Prices checked on the Garrafeira Nacional website and on the wineries page in August 2022.
Source: CNN Brasil
