Portugal

Portugal has one of Europe’s richest winemaking traditions, built around a remarkable array of indigenous grape varieties and distinctive regional styles. At its heart is the spectacular Douro Valley, where steep, terraced vineyards rise above the Douro River and provide the fruit for both the country’s great fortified wines and an increasingly impressive generation of dry reds.

The Douro is synonymous with Port, one of the world's great age-worthy wines. Indigenous varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz produce wines of remarkable richness, structure and longevity. From youthful, intensely fruited Vintage Port to beautifully mature bottles that have developed over decades, historic houses such as Taylor’s, Graham’s, Dow’s and Warre’s continue a tradition stretching back centuries, while great single estates such as Quinta do Vesuvio offer distinctive expressions of individual vineyards and vintages.

Beyond Port, the Douro produces increasingly accomplished dry reds, with estates such as Casa Ferreirinha demonstrating the depth and elegance possible from the region’s native varieties. Further north, the cooler, Atlantic-influenced vineyards of Vinho Verde produce wonderfully fresh, aromatic whites, with Alvarinho capable of combining vibrant acidity and mineral character with surprising complexity and ageing potential.

From refreshing Atlantic whites and characterful Douro reds to great Vintage Ports capable of ageing for generations, Portugal combines distinctive native varieties, historic vineyards and an exceptional sense of place.