Alentejo Wines

This is without doubt, one of the most exciting wine regions in Portugal today. A vast area of plains, and undulating hills, it is a hot, dry, arid, region, sparsely populated, yet now producing some of the most modern and innovative Portuguese wines of all, which are constantly winning medals in international wine competitions. It is also inextricably linked with the wine industry, as one of the key regions for cork production in the country and benefits from tourism thanks to its proximity to Lisbon.

The region produces a few whites from Roupeiro, Arinto (Perderna in Vinho Verde) and Antão Vaz. Alvarinho is also gaining a reputation here. But, it is really the land of the reds, with rich, spicy, velvety reds produced mainly from Aragonez (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional. Some of the highest quality and longest ageing red Portuguese wines are produced in this region. Established sub-regions in this area include Borba and Reguengos de Monsaraz.

Look out for Vinho de Talha DOC for wines fermented on skins in talha (amphora), often made from Antão Vaz, and the sub region of Portalegre, which makes a number of old field blends.