Portugal

Portugal

The people of Portugal are the second-largest consumers of wine in the world, a fact unsurprising in light of the quality and aplomb of the wine produced there.

Port and Madeira may hog the headlines, but red and white wines of great character and distinction are produced all over the country.

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    A complex citrus nose transitions to an acacia honey and fresh pine in the mouth. A rich finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    A complex citrus nose transitions to an acacia honey and fresh pine in the mouth. A rich finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £68.94 What is MIX6?

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    £57.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £79.94 £66.62
    A wine of dark colour, resembling ripe cherries, with aromas of red and black fruit with a hint of florality. In the mouth, it reveals the characteris... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro Valley
    A wine of dark colour, resembling ripe cherries, with aromas of red and black fruit with a hint of florality. In the mouth, it reveals the characteris... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £10.99 What is MIX6?

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    £9.16 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £12.65 £10.54
    It's ripe and juicy, has a great mix of warming, dark plummy fruit and crunchy red berries, with a little lift of floral violets. There's earthy, almo... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Alentejo
    It's ripe and juicy, has a great mix of warming, dark plummy fruit and crunchy red berries, with a little lift of floral violets. There's earthy, almo... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £19.25 What is MIX6?

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    £16.04 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £21.70 £18.08
    A fine and delicate nose of soft ripe black fruits, revealing aromas of cherry, ripe plum and cassis. It is simultaneously fresh and silky on the pala... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    A fine and delicate nose of soft ripe black fruits, revealing aromas of cherry, ripe plum and cassis. It is simultaneously fresh and silky on the pala... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £15.54 What is MIX6?

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    £12.95 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £17.64 £14.70
    A lovely Portuguese red which provides beautifully ripe, dark berry fruit aromas. On the palate there is good acidity, freshness, and bright cherry wi... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    A lovely Portuguese red which provides beautifully ripe, dark berry fruit aromas. On the palate there is good acidity, freshness, and bright cherry wi... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £16.14 What is MIX6?

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    £13.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £18.54 £15.45
    A succulent balanced red wine packed full of ripe forest fruits flavours. Smooth and velvety on the palate, with a delightful length on the finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Beira
    A succulent balanced red wine packed full of ripe forest fruits flavours. Smooth and velvety on the palate, with a delightful length on the finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £17.95 What is MIX6?

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    £14.96 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £19.94 £16.62
    A zesty dry white made from local grape varieties. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Vinho Verde
    A zesty dry white made from local grape varieties. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £11.94 What is MIX6?

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    £9.95 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £13.49 £11.24
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    As part of a MIX6 £42.95 What is MIX6?

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    £35.79 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £45.95 £38.29
    Floral aromas are present throughout with this fresh and vibrant Vinho Verde. There is plenty of citrus fruit, balanced by generous minerality on a de... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Floral aromas are present throughout with this fresh and vibrant Vinho Verde. There is plenty of citrus fruit, balanced by generous minerality on a de... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £9.59 What is MIX6?

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    £7.99 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £10.94 £9.12
    This Madeira wine comes from the now-rare Boal grape variety, aged 100% in cask by the natural canteiro method. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    This Madeira wine comes from the now-rare Boal grape variety, aged 100% in cask by the natural canteiro method. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £16.00 What is MIX6?

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    £13.33 exc VAT
    Single 50cl bottle
    £18.38 £15.32
  1. Well balanced with smooth aromas and a non-cloying sweetness. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Well balanced with smooth aromas and a non-cloying sweetness. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £19.94 What is MIX6?

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    £16.62 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £21.95 £18.29
    Rich and fruity, a very good ruby port. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Rich and fruity, a very good ruby port. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £13.94 What is MIX6?

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    £11.62 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £15.95 £13.29
    Immensely fruited with a balanced concentration of flavours. Niepoort Late Bottled Vintage ports just go from strength to strength. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Immensely fruited with a balanced concentration of flavours. Niepoort Late Bottled Vintage ports just go from strength to strength. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £22.94 What is MIX6?

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    £19.12 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £25.94 £21.62
    Brick red in colour and displaying dried fruit flavour with nutty subtleties. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Brick red in colour and displaying dried fruit flavour with nutty subtleties. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £18.14 What is MIX6?

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    £15.12 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £19.94 £16.62
    Dark red in colour with fresh fruit character, a slight mineral character gives it great drinkability. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Dark red in colour with fresh fruit character, a slight mineral character gives it great drinkability. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £18.95 What is MIX6?

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    £15.79 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £20.94 £17.45
    Aged for about 8 years, this has bags of tawny character. The fruit is tempered by hints of nuts that are typical with this most underrated style of P... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Aged for about 8 years, this has bags of tawny character. The fruit is tempered by hints of nuts that are typical with this most underrated style of P... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £23.95 What is MIX6?

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    £19.96 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £25.94 £21.62
    Intense golden yellow in colour with rich aromas of butterscotch, nuts and honey. Delicious and soft on the palate with lingering nutty flavours to fi... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Intense golden yellow in colour with rich aromas of butterscotch, nuts and honey. Delicious and soft on the palate with lingering nutty flavours to fi... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £17.94 What is MIX6?

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    £14.95 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £19.49 £16.24
    A plethora of aromas detectable on the nose with apple, citrus and tropical fruits leading the way. The palate is elegant and balanced with great stru... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Tejo
    A plethora of aromas detectable on the nose with apple, citrus and tropical fruits leading the way. The palate is elegant and balanced with great stru... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £8.84 What is MIX6?

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    £7.37 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £9.95 £8.29
    Aromas of red fruit, cassis and some floral overtones fill the nose, with a hint of spice. In the mouth, the wine is rich with a medium to full body a... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Tejo
    Aromas of red fruit, cassis and some floral overtones fill the nose, with a hint of spice. In the mouth, the wine is rich with a medium to full body a... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £8.84 What is MIX6?

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    £7.37 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £9.95 £8.29
  2. A round and soft Port, with lots of sweet berry and plummy fruit, verging on jam. Full bodied and round, with a long, sweet finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    A round and soft Port, with lots of sweet berry and plummy fruit, verging on jam. Full bodied and round, with a long, sweet finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £83.15 What is MIX6?

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    £69.29 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £91.49 £76.24
  3. Inky black in colour with concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry aromas. There are also notes of coffee and hints of wild herbs and mint. Jammy frui... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Inky black in colour with concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry aromas. There are also notes of coffee and hints of wild herbs and mint. Jammy frui... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £80.94 What is MIX6?

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    £67.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £94.99 £79.16
  4. Deep, rich and luscious with herby cassis fruits. Soft and fruity on the palate with a finish of liquorice and chocolate. A classic Vintage Port. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Deep, rich and luscious with herby cassis fruits. Soft and fruity on the palate with a finish of liquorice and chocolate. A classic Vintage Port. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £88.94 What is MIX6?

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    £74.12 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £98.99 £82.49
    Rich and dark, almost ink purple with aromas of violets. The palate displays layers of concentrated ripe fruit. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Rich and dark, almost ink purple with aromas of violets. The palate displays layers of concentrated ripe fruit. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £72.74 What is MIX6?

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    £60.62 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £85.00 £70.83
    A strong summer fruit character with abundance of raspberries and strawberries. This is supported by some floral notes and a touch of spice as the mou... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Tejo
    A strong summer fruit character with abundance of raspberries and strawberries. This is supported by some floral notes and a touch of spice as the mou... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £8.84 What is MIX6?

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    £7.37 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £9.95 £8.29
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Portugal is notable for resisting the world-wide trend of adopting international grape varieties and, accordingly, indigenous vines are responsible for almost all of its wines. Some of these vines are superb, but rarely have they travelled successfully abroad, and this makes Portugal a unique place to explore.

History

The history of Portuguese winemaking bears many similarities to that of Spain. The Phoenicians, the Greeks and especially the Romans established it here, a mid-20th century dictator damaged it hugely, and only since entry into the EU in 1986 has it revived. It may have been the British, however, who shaped it the most.

When Napoleon threatened the white cliffs of Dover, he inadvertently popularised Port and Madeira in Britain. Port, in particular, was already known at the Georgian table but when Bordeaux and Burgundy became out-of-bounds in the early 19th century demand for it rocketed. The fortification of these wines, so integral to their essence, was an innovation intended to preserve them at sea on their way over to Britain.

The Classification System

Paradoxically, the Portuguese system of classification is both one of the oldest and one of the newest, certainly in Europe. In 1756 the prime minister drew a line around the Douro to protect the quality of Port, but few further strides were taken until entry into the EU in 1986. At this time a system was drawn up in imitation of France's, but which suffered from all the bureaucratic inflexibility of the Italian attempt. Only time will tell whether the system comes to reliably indicate quality. 

Climate and Conditions

By a wonderful quirk of nature, Portugal has a varied climate working with a topography that frequently makes anything but vines a nuisance to grow. The Atlantic coast is wet, cool and a land of light reds and whites. Inland is particularly known for its reds, and in the high, hot north they can be powerful and impressive. It is here, in the inaccessible, inhospitable Douro, that the grapes for Port are grown.  On the volcanic soils of Madeira, irrigation is necessary except up in the clouds at high altitude.

The Wines of Today

Portugal, with its suite of indigenous grapes, traditional techniques and thirsty inhabitants, and with the exception of Port and Madeira, has always produced wine for itself instead of the world. Yet this is beginning to change, and the good news for the consumer is that the transformation does not involve vast plantings of international vines that have spread elsewhere in the world. Individuality has been preserved, and Portugal is improving and exporting whilst retaining its traditional and inimitable character.

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