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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    • 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
    • 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 £19.86 What is MIX6?

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    £16.55 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £22.25 £18.54
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Bairrada
    This lovely Pet Nat sees three days of maceration on the grape skins. This is then followed by a pre-fermentation in plastic vats, and the fermentatio... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Bairrada
    This lovely Pet Nat sees three days of maceration on the grape skins. This is then followed by a pre-fermentation in plastic vats, and the fermentatio... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £22.45 What is MIX6?

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    £18.71 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £24.95 £20.79
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Minho
    A co-fermentation of two complimentary varieties. No extraction is needed to get a bit of colour from the Vinhao, and the acidity and aromatics from t... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Minho
    A co-fermentation of two complimentary varieties. No extraction is needed to get a bit of colour from the Vinhao, and the acidity and aromatics from t... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £24.25 What is MIX6?

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    £20.21 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £27.95 £23.29
    • 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
    • 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 £11.60 What is MIX6?

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    £9.67 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £12.98 £10.82
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Vinho Verde
    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 £12.55 What is MIX6?

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    £10.46 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £13.98 £11.65
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Mineral, lemon, lime and flint on the nose. Reductive and fascinating. Medium to full body with creamy texture. Lemon rind and curd. Some nougat and s... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Mineral, lemon, lime and flint on the nose. Reductive and fascinating. Medium to full body with creamy texture. Lemon rind and curd. Some nougat and s... Read More
    BUY 3 for £124.99 £41.66 £104.16 exc VAT £34.72 exc VAT
    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
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    A medium-dry Madeira with good fruit content and a dry finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    A medium-dry Madeira with good fruit content and a dry finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £16.98 What is MIX6?

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    £14.15 exc VAT
    Single 50cl bottle
    £19.49 £16.24
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    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 £21.42 What is MIX6?

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    £17.85 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £21.98 £18.32
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    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 £15.73 What is MIX6?

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    £13.11 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £16.94 £14.12
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    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 £24.58 What is MIX6?

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    £20.48 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £26.94 £22.45
    • 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
    • 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 £84.94 What is MIX6?

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    £70.78 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £93.49 £77.91
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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 £90.73 What is MIX6?

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    £75.61 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £100.00 £83.33
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    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 £74.53 What is MIX6?

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    £62.11 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £86.94 £72.45
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Almost black in colour with dark cherry fruit, quite like sweet plums, with some wet earth and leafy notes. Quite full bodied with good tannins and a ... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    Almost black in colour with dark cherry fruit, quite like sweet plums, with some wet earth and leafy notes. Quite full bodied with good tannins and a ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £84.53 What is MIX6?

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    £70.44 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £96.94 £80.78
    • 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
    • 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 £9.46 What is MIX6?

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    £7.88 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £10.55 £8.79
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Peninsula de Setubal
    Deep amber in colour, this wine is rich and smooth with a full flavour that has a strong raisin fruit character paired with caramel, citrus orange pee... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Peninsula de Setubal
    Deep amber in colour, this wine is rich and smooth with a full flavour that has a strong raisin fruit character paired with caramel, citrus orange pee... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £19.27 What is MIX6?

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    £16.06 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £21.59 £17.99
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro Valley
    A luscious, well structured wine from north Portugal. Full of rounded, ripe and jammy fruit aromas, combined with a certain earthiness. The richness o... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro Valley
    A luscious, well structured wine from north Portugal. Full of rounded, ripe and jammy fruit aromas, combined with a certain earthiness. The richness o... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £29.94 What is MIX6?

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    £24.95 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £29.94 £24.95
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    This characteristic Kopke displays aromas of wild red berries with notes of black pepper, eucalyptus and violet. All the aromas are well balanced and ... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    This characteristic Kopke displays aromas of wild red berries with notes of black pepper, eucalyptus and violet. All the aromas are well balanced and ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £23.53 What is MIX6?

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    £19.61 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £24.95 £20.79
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    An exquisite 1998 Colheita with aromas of dried fruit on the nose, yet fresh notes of red fruit and cherries dominating the palate. Elegant and comple... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    An exquisite 1998 Colheita with aromas of dried fruit on the nose, yet fresh notes of red fruit and cherries dominating the palate. Elegant and comple... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £54.73 What is MIX6?

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    £45.61 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £61.00 £50.83
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Rich yet surprisingly mellow. This 20-year-old tawny from the oldest Port house shows complex aromas of raisin, vanilla and a quite pronounced oak inf... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    Rich yet surprisingly mellow. This 20-year-old tawny from the oldest Port house shows complex aromas of raisin, vanilla and a quite pronounced oak inf... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £48.28 What is MIX6?

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    £40.23 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £54.49 £45.41
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    This wonderful 30-year-old tawny from Kopke has an attractive nose of dried fruits and soft vanilla spice. Smooth on the palate with caramel and peanu... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    This wonderful 30-year-old tawny from Kopke has an attractive nose of dried fruits and soft vanilla spice. Smooth on the palate with caramel and peanu... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £73.73 What is MIX6?

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    £61.44 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £81.74 £68.12
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    An exquisite 40 year old tawny from the oldest Port house. Leather, vanilla, spice and apricot on the nose are joined by mocha and some citrus hints o... Read More
    • Origin
    • Portugal
    • Douro
    An exquisite 40 year old tawny from the oldest Port house. Leather, vanilla, spice and apricot on the nose are joined by mocha and some citrus hints o... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £100.73 What is MIX6?

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    £83.94 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £105.98 £88.32
    • 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
    • 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 £9.46 What is MIX6?

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    £7.88 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £10.60 £8.83
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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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