Looking for the best Portuguese wines? Despite its size, Portugal boasts the fourth-largest wine grape area in Europe, surpassed only by Spain, Italy, and France.
Did you know that Portugal cultivates a staggering 340 grape varieties, with a remarkable 240 of them being native to the country? That’s not just wine – it’s a living, breathing history in every glass! That being said, Portuguese wines cannot be considered one product but a whole range of products. Thanks to different micro-climates, Portugal makes light wines like “Vinho Verde” and robust ones like Port wine, which we’ll explore in today’s post.
By the way, Portugal’s among the world’s top wine consumers, but don’t get the wrong idea. This doesn’t imply everyone is getting drunk! It only reflects the cultural tradition of enjoying a glass with lunch and dinner, a practice linked to heart health when done in moderation.
If you are on the search for a last-minute gift, these are some of the best Portuguese wines for gift-giving:
1. PORTUGUESE WHITE WINES
Portuguese white and red mature wines have different styles depending on their origin, usually the demarcated regions of Douro, Dão, Sado and Alentejo. Looking for a gift that stands out? Here are, in our humble opinion, the best Portuguese white wines to share (or keep for yourself).
MUXAGAT OS XISTOS ALTOS (Portuguese white wine)
Region: Douro
The grapes come from the highest parcels of Rabigato at 500 m ( “Os Xistos Altos” means “The Highest Schists”) in the Douro Superior. They are harvested manually in September in 20 kg boxes. This Portuguese wine pairs best with seafood, grilled fresh fish, white meats, or as an aperitif.
PORMENOR RESERVA BRANCO (Portuguese white wine)
Region: Douro
Pormenor Reserva Branco was vinified with a blend of grapes from the Douro region, predominantly Rabigato, Malvasia Fina, and Códega do Larinho. After 10 months in used French oak barrels, et voilà – our favorite Portuguese white wine is born!
NOSSA CALCÁRIO (Portuguese white wine)
Region: Bairrada
The Nossa Calcário wine is a collaboration between Filipa Pato and her husband. Their goal was to produce a wine that fully expressed the potential of the exceptional Óis do Bairro, a Portuguese village recognized since the 19th century for its remarkable ability to produce outstanding Portuguese white wines. We can confirm their wish came true!
TEXTURA DA ESTRELA (Portuguese white wine)
Region: Dão
Textura Wines is a new project by Marcelo Araújo and his family. Marcelo chose the Dão region for its incredible terroir, nestled against the Serra da Estrela mountains. Discover their most popular wine: Textura da Estrela.
APHROS LOUREIRO (Portuguese white wine)
Region: Vinho verde
“Vinho Verde” comes from the North, specifically the Minho region. It’s a fruity, easy-to-drink wine, perfect for light meals or hot summer days. Aphros is a white wine produced in the Vinho Verde region from the Loureiro grape variety. This Portuguese wine pairs best with fish (grilled or baked), cod with cream, shellfish, sushi, salads, and fruits. Enjoy!
ALVARINHO SOBRE LIAS (Portuguese white wine)
Region: Vinho verde
Produced by Quinta Edmundo Val, a family winery that creates wines from the Alvarinho grape variety, one of the most admired Portuguese grape varieties.
2. PORTUGUESE WHITE SPARKLING WINES
Looking for the best Portuguese sparkling wine to sip? These are proof that champagne isn’t the only bubbly worth toasting to.
SPARKLING WINE VÉRTICE (Portuguese sparkling wine)
Region: Douro
On the high slopes of the Alto Douro, where the breezes are too cold for port wine cultivation and the granite soils give the wines an unmistakable and unique aroma, you’ll find Vértice. It’s perfect as an aperitif, with a meal, or alongside dessert, best enjoyed at an ideal temperature of 7-9°C.
CASA DE SAIMA (Portuguese sparkling wine)
Region: Bairrada
With its citrine color, delicate and elegant aroma, and notes of citrus and flowers, every time you open a bottle of bubbly, magic happens.
3. PORTUGUESE RED WINES
Made in some of Europe’s most spectacular and unspoiled wine regions, Portugal’s red wines are more than deserving your full attention. Here are the best Portuguese red wines for gift-giving.
XISTO ILIMITADO (Portuguese red wine)
Region: Douro
Xisto Ilimitado, by Luis Seabra, a former winemaker at Niepoort, is bright, focused, fresh, and an amazing introduction to the new Douro.
VADIO BAIRRADA DOC (Portuguese red wine)
Region: Bairrada
Vadio is located in the Poutena village in the Bairrada region of Portugal. This small family project was founded in 2005 by winemaker Luís Patrão, who is on a mission to revive Bairrada’s traditional grape varieties and produce authentic DOC Bairrada wines. We say: mission accomplished!
DÃO COLHEITA TINTO ANTÓNIO MADEIRA (Portuguese red wine)
Region: Dão
When it comes to grapevines, old is gold. António Madeira’s wine is made from notably old vines- 50 years old, to be precise. Many Dão wine lovers call it “author wine.” Call it whatever you like, but do yourself a favor and drink a glass or two!
ANSELMO MENDES VINHÃO RED (Portuguese red wine)
Region: Vinho verde
With intense color and purple reflections, it’s excellent as an aperitif or paired with dishes like mushroom-stuffed bacon or lamprey rice.
4. PORTUGUESE SWEET FORTIFIED WINES
Last but not least, we have generous wines like:
- The world-famous Port wine;
- Madeira wine (from the Island of Madeira, off the coast of North Africa);
- Or the Moscatel (from Setúbal or Douro region).
These are sweet fortified wines with around 20% alcohol, full-bodied and perfect for sipping.
Is it too early to drink Portuguese wines? We think not! Join our Vintage & Port Wine Food Tour and learn more about the best Portuguese wines out there!
Where can I order authentic Portuguese wine online?
If you’ve been searching for a place to buy authentic Portuguese wines online, we have some suggestions. Check out these online shops to order Portuguese wine (delivered right to your door):
- Wine and spirits orders placed at Garrafeira Nacional’s shop and online store can be sent to almost any location in the world: www.garrafeiranacional.com
- ONWINE.PT offers a good mix of home delivery options throughout some European countries. Check it out: www.onwine.pt
Here’s a toast to a brighter future!
Cheers or, as we say in Portuguese, À Nossa!
Your Foodie Friends in Porto
