Stories of the wine-growing countries · Portugal

Wines from Portugal

Different traditions and distinctive grape varieties create a great diversity of aromas.

On around 300,000 hectares, Portugal produces almost 10 million hectolitres of wine each year and has the most indigenous grape varieties in the world: more than 500 different varieties are grown. Around 15 percent of the population make their living from winegrowing; with a per capita consumption of about 55 litres, Portugal ranks third worldwide.

Vineyard area: approx. 300,000 ha
Production: almost 10 million hectolitres per year
Grape varieties: over 500, the most indigenous varieties worldwide
Per capita consumption: approx. 55 litres, 3rd place worldwide
Famous for: Port wine from the Douro Valley

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The history of wine in Portugal

Winegrowing in Portugal began with the Phoenicians and Greeks, and later with the Romans. Winegrowers successfully resisted the rule of the Moors, who forbade the consumption of alcohol; in the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks further expanded winegrowing through numerous monastery foundations.

In the 13th century, the crown promoted agriculture and winegrowing; thanks to large harvest yields, a trading fleet emerged that enabled Portugal's rise to a world power. When England imposed high tariffs on French wine, a profitable trade developed from the cheaper Portuguese alternative: port wine became a bestseller.

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Winegrowing today

The lighter white wines are found in the cooler north, while the interior of the country produces mainly the robust red wines. 15 per cent of the population make their living from winegrowing.

How modern Portuguese wine can taste today is shown by the «Das isch Läbe» line from Remo Aragão, from the Alentejo and the Douro, with a Swiss German name.

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