Sometimes confusion rains with between the names Alentejo and Alentejano. Legally the word Alentejo is only used for DOC wines and Alentejano for Vinho Regional wines (which is 99% of the production). The word Alentejo of an adjective meaning from the Alentejo.
The key vines are centred around indigenous Portuguese varieties with grapes such as Aragonez, Tincadera, Moreto and Castelao Frances being used for the reds. Though red wines dominate the region, white grapes are being planted such as Viognier, Verdhelo along side indigenous white Portuguese varieties.