Stage 3
Wines by Region
Portugal
Portugal is better known for the fortified sweet wine Port, which is a blend of various grape varieties. Due to this industry there is a long tradition of blending grapes for table wines and selling the wines under a brand name. The most famous of these is probably Mateus rosé, which originated in northern Portugal. A family that was producing Vinho Verde created this now famous brand in 1942.
Traditionally red wines from Portugal were high in tannins and acidity and were made from varieties grown in the Douro, Doa and Bairrada in northern Portugal. These days softer fruitier wines are being made but require a long period to age and mellow. The best exports come from southeast such as wines from Alentejo DOC and Vinho Regional Alentejano. This is a hot region that mainly produces full-bodied reds made from local and international varieties. The wines usually have dark fruit, spice and oak with hints of chocolate on the finish.
In the north of the region is the area called Vinho Verde DOC. This translates as green wine but this refers to the wine being young rather than green in colour. The wines are un-oaked, light bodied and low in alcohol with flavours of citrus and green fruit and are usually medium dry to medium sweet.