Portugal may not be the first country you think of when you're looking for new wines to sample.  However, Portuguese wine production outdates many other countries; the Portuguese have been trading wine with the rest of the world since the early 18th century.

There are legends that tell of wine being produced in Portugal from as far back as 4000 years ago.  Of course, the production was much different than it is today, but it is possible that Portugal has been producing wine since the time of the Phoenicians.

Distinctive and Exceptional

Nearly every wine drinker knows that the finest wines produced in Portugal have traditionally been port and Madeira, two fortified wines enjoyed all around the world.  There is much more to the wines of Portugal, though, and every variety is as impressive as these well-known beverages.

Portugal has several different wine regions, each producing and using its own distinctive grape varieties.  In fact, this is what makes Portuguese wine so unique among other wine-producing countries.  The wines produced in Portugal are made from native grape species, and they are all distinctive to the area.  There are government safeguards in place to ensure that all wine produced in Portugal is of the highest quality possible.

Many contrasting types of wine derive from Portugal, although not all of them are known in different parts of the world.  Europe,  is very familiar with most of Portugal's finest exports, but they have yet to acquire the same fame in the United States.

Alentejo Wine

The Alentejo region is in southern Portugal.  The wines acquired from the alentejo grapes are fruity, delicate whites with a distinctive acidity.  This is among the most favoured wines for consumption within Portugal.

Bairrada Wine

The Regiao Demarcada da Bairrada produces white and red wines, but the most fashionable wine from this region is a sparkling white wine which is quite generally found in Portuguese restaurants.

Colares Sand Wine

Close to Lisbon, grapevines are found in sandy soil that is becoming rare, due to the growth of Lisbon.  Colares sand wine is produced in both red and white varieties, and has a distinguishing fruity taste.

Dao Wine

The Regiao Demarcada do Dao is in northern Portugal, and it makes some very uncomparable wines from many varieties of Portuguese grapes.  These are widely believed to be the finest table wine produced in Portugal.

Moscatel Wine

Moscatel (Muscat in English) is one of the oldest Portuguese wine.  It is a fortified wine that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years.

Port wines are fortified wines that can be enjoyed in either red or white varieties.  This is one of the types of wine that made Portuguese wine known and loved around the world.

Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde is produced in northwest Portugal and does not go through a maturing stage.  It is the second most exported Portuguese wine, just after port.