How to Buy Portuguese Wine

Portuguese wine has produced quality wines for centuries and is now a worldwide favorite. With so many different types of Portuguese wine, deciding which one to buy can take time and effort. Before choosing which Portuguese wine to purchase, it is essential to know the different kinds of grape varieties, smells, tastes, and regions involved in producing Portuguese wine. In this article, you will learn critical information to help you confidently choose the right Portuguese wine.

Different Grape Varieties of Portuguese Wine

When buying Portuguese wine, the most important thing to know is the range of grape varieties used to make the type of wine you are looking for. Portugal is home to many native and foreign grape varieties, including some of the oldest in the world. The most famous Portuguese grape varieties include Alvarinho, Arinto, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Fernão Pires, Souzão, and Baga.

Alvarinho is the leading white grape variety in Portugal, grown mainly in the northern region of Minho. It produces fruity and aromatic white wines with high acidity and good balance.

Arinto is another popular white grape variety. It is an intense and mineral-driven grape variety that produces lively, crisp white wines with citrus, herbal, and mineral notes.

Touriga Nacional is Portugal's main red grape variety and produces complex, age-worthy red wines. As a late-ripening variety, the red wines from Touriga Nacional are usually dark, intense, and concentrated, with blackberries, dark cherries, and violets aromas.

Trincadeira is mainly used as a blending grape to soften tannins. It is a deep-colored grape that produces fruity wines with aromas and flavors of blackberries and plums.

Fernão Pires is a low-tannin and bright white grape from the Lisboa region. It produces wines with light bodies, detectable acidity, and citrus and tropical fruit aromas.

Souzão is a rich red grape variety originating in the Douro region of Portugal. It produces very concentrated red wines and is usually blended with other grape varieties.

Baga is a tannic red grape variety with great aging potential. It produces intense red wines with red fruits, spices, and earthy notes.

Portuguese Wine Regions

Considering which region the wine comes from is a significant part of choosing the right wine. Some of the most famous Portuguese wine regions are Douro, Dão, Alentejo, Vinho Verde, and Lisboa.

The Douro region is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world and is home to the iconic Port Wine. It is known for its steeply terraced vineyard landscape and produces mostly red wines, mainly made with Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and old field blends.

The Dão region is known for its fresh, vibrant reds and robust whites made with Portuguese grape varieties. White wines are mainly produced with Encruzado and Malvasia Fina varieties, while red wines are made with Jaen, Alfrocheiro, and Baga.

The Alentejo region covers almost a third of mainland Portugal. It is known for its full-bodied reds, made with Red Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, and Aragonez varieties.

The Vinho Verde region is known mainly for its lighter, refreshing, and slightly sparkling white wines, made with Alvarinho, Loureiro, Trajadura, and Arinto varieties. The European Union rules the term Vinho Verde can only be used for wines produced in this region.

The Lisboa region is known for its wide selection of white and red wines. Red wines are mainly produced with Alfrocheiro and Castelão, while white wines are made with Fernão Pires and Arinto.

Tasting Portuguese Wines

Tasting a wine before buying it is the surest way to ensure it meets your expectations. Tasting offers valuable insight into how a wine will taste and how complex it is. It also helps you compare different Portuguese wines before making a purchase.

When tasting a wine, it is essential to start with your eyes. Look at the color of the wine and observe its clarity. Swirl the glass and keep the legs and the intensity of the color. This will give you an idea of the wine’s potential body, texture, and depth.

The next step is to smell the wine. Put your nose in the glass and inhale deeply to identify the aromas. Portuguese wines are known for their intense aromas of fruits, spices, and flowers. You can concentrate on the predominant aromas and observe how severe they are.

Finally, take a sip of the wine and observe the flavors and how they mix with the aromas. Focus on the wine's acidity, sweetness, tannins, and finish.

Buying Portuguese Wines

Once you understand the different varieties of Portuguese wine and have tasted some to get an idea of the other flavors and aromas, it’s time to buy.

When looking for quality Portuguese wine, it is essential to look for ones made with a specific grape variety and from a particular region. This will ensure the wine is of a high quality and characteristic of that grape variety and region.

Another important tip is to look for wines with the Indicação Geográfica Protegida (IGP) label. This label guarantees that all the grapes used to make the wine come from the region indicated in the title and were vinified exclusively in that region.

Finally, the most critical aspect of buying Portuguese wine is to choose one that you like and that has been made in an area you are familiar with. Buying a Portuguese wine sight unseen can be a gamble, so it is better to buy one that a trusted source has recommended.

Conclusion

Portuguese wine is considered some of the best in the world, and there is a wide variety of styles, types, and regions to choose from. To ensure you select the right Portuguese wine, knowing the different grape varieties, regions, smells, and tastes associated with Portuguese wine is essential. You can confidently choose the right one for your palate by tasting and researching different Portuguese wines.