Portuguese Wines

Portugal is not in the top ten wine producing nations, but it is in the top ten wine exporting nations. What this amounts to is that over half of the wine produced in Portugal is eventually drank somewhere else.

Like its neighbor to the east, Portugal recognizes certain regions for consistently producing excellent wines.

The largest of these regions is also the northernmost. Vinho Verde is famous for its white wines, most of which are made with the Alvarinho grape. Nowhere else in Portugal boasts so many white wines, indeed, most of Portugal is red-wine focused.

Actually, most of Portugal's best wines are Ports. Port wine was invented in the 17th century when England was at war with France. Not having access to French wine, England sought elsewhere for a supplier and Portugal was the best candidate. To preserve the wines over the long journey, alcohol was added directly (often in the form of brandy). From there, the process was refined. Port can only come from those vineyards along the Douro river. Depending on the particular wine, port can serve in a wide variety of roles, but here in America it's best known as a dessert wine.