Grapes
Portugal can be proud of being one of the top countries with the largest quantity and diversity
of indigenous grape varieties in the world (over 250).
Here are a selection of the main grapes cultivated in Portugal today.
Alfrocheiro
This variety produces wines with a rich deep colour, with hints of ripe blackberries, wild flowers and spices. Good structure with smooth powerful tannins and a lovely acidity.
Great as a blend but by itself as a single variety wine. It has proved to be worthy of the consumers' applause.
Touriga Nacional
If there is a variety in the world which we can call “noble” then Touriga Nacional is, no doubt, the one. A noble variety is always able to leave its brand, originating high quality wines with strong personality, which are unmistakeable and all this explains why this grape is getting great results in the vineyards of the USA, South Africa, Australia, Brazil & others.
Touriga Nacional starts to impress owing to its deep colour and unmistakable perfumed aromas of blackberries, wild flowers and forest bush. Tannins are strong, powerful, but elegant, allowing it to evolve in the bottle. This wine is a complete variety, appealing to everybody.
Trincadeira
This grape has a true passion for heat. Its great qualities are evident in drier regions, with poor soils and dry hot climate during maturation. Good colour concentration with very fruity aroma, full bodied, with smooth, but solid tannins, allowing a good evolution in the bottle.
In the Alentejo region, Trincadeira forms a very successful partnership when blended with Aragonez. As a single variety it boasts all the features which made it famous.
Aragonez
This most famous Iberian variety where it is called “Tempranillo” has spread from the Rioja region in Spain and arrived into Portugal. In 1800, most likely through the Alentejo, where it is called Aragonez,, and in the north of Portugal it is called Tinta Roriz.
It is one of the main grapes used in blends for port wine. Limited yield in cultivation of the grape will produce the best results, concentration and balanced wines. Aragonez produces elegant, full bodied wines, round solid tannins and full of fruit.
Alicante Bouschet
This variety is not Portuguese by birth, but planted from wine nurseries in the South Languedoc region. In France mid-1860s, as a cross between Petit Bouschet and Grenache. It arrived to Portugal at the beginning of the 20th century. With a hotter and drier climate, it has thrived since.
Some of the best wines, especially in the Alentejo region, owe their success to the colour structure, concentration and longevity power of wines made with this grape. The berry produces a brilliant dark violet colour.
Antao Vaz
Originating in the south of Alentejo, Antao Vaz is recognised as their best white grape variety,
Its characteristics are of elegant tropical aroma and mineral and spicy hints.
Blending with Arinto and
Roupeiro grape varieties, increasing the acidity of the wine are commonly used.
Arinto
The diversity of names by which Arinto is known shows how prevalent it is in Portugal, especially in Bucelas, where it is the most cultivated variety.
It is one of the best white grape varieties for it is highly acidic and yield wines with great ageing potential.
This natural acidity gives the wines a fresh palate with aromatic intensity, underlined by citrus fruits.
Nowadays cultivated throughout Portugal.
Alvarinho
Considered the most distinguished variety in the Vinho Verde region and certainly one of the most cultivated white variety throughout Portugal.
It yields a wine with strong aromatic intensity, featuring tropical fruit aromas and a subtle floral character, fine alcohol content and excellent ageing potential, with a flair for barrel ageing. Pleasant acidity, structure and persistence on the palate.