Alentejo

Best known for its bedrock of smooth, ripe, fruity reds, this sunny, southern region is a hub of modern winemaking but, being the size of Belgium with eight sub-regions, Alentejo has it all. Mountains and hills – pockets of schist, granite and marble - punctuate the rolling landscape. Elevation, coastal influence and plummeting night-time temperatures off-set hot days. Modern vineyards major on popular Portuguese and international grapes as well as local varieties, including Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Alfrocheiro (reds) and Antão Vaz and Roupeiro (whites). A niche revival of traditional varieties and techniques has put Portalegre sub-region’s old field blend vineyards and Vidigueira’s talha wines in the spotlight.