Best Portugal Wine To Try Based On What You Already Like
I used to be a die-hard New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc girl…but the wines of Portugal challenged me to discover new types of Portuguese wine to suit my tastes. Before moving to Portugal in 2021, and exploring the wines from different wine regions of Portugal, I really only knew about Vinho Verde. But after drinking my way from the Douro Valley to the Algarve and visiting local wineries along the way, I can safely say, I’ve figured which Portuguese wines compare to the wines I love from around the world.
Whether you're a fan of white fruits, black-currant fruits, or ripe blackberries, we've got the perfect match for you! Get ready to have your go-to faves replaced by the best wine Portugal has to offer.
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Best Portugal Wine: White Wines
If you’re like me and can’t get enough of Portugal’s crisp, refreshing white wines, especially on a hot summer day overlooking the Douro River, you’re in for a treat! Portugal’s white wines offer everything from light, elegant sippers to rich, oaky options. The excellent wines of Portugal cater to various tastes, offering indigenous grape varieties that are both unique and full of character.
Portuguese Wines Like Chardonnay
Whether you love buttery California Chardonnays or the more restrained versions from Burgundy, Portugal has something that fits the bill. Arinto and Encruzado are two fantastic local grape varieties. These wines range from crisp and refreshing to rich and oaky, making them an ideal match for Chardonnay lovers. Arinto adds freshness and citrus notes, while Encruzado brings richness and floral aromas.
Top Arinto and Encruzado Wines
Quinta da Serradinha Encruzado - Arinto
Mira do O 'Druida' Encruzado Reserva
Azores Wine Co. Arinto dos Acores
Portuguese Wines Like Sauvignon Blanc
If you love Sauvignon Blanc, especially those with zingy citrus and herbal notes, then you must try Vinho Verde from the north of Portugal. These are light, fresh wines with a crisp acidity, often evoking flavors of green apples and citrus fruits, perfect for warm weather.
Top Vinho Verde Wines
Quinta do Ameal Solo Único Vinho Verde
Quinta de Covela Avesso Reserva Vinho Verde
Aveleda Parcela do Convento Loureiro Vinho Verde
Portuguese Wines Like Riesling
Riesling fans, rejoice! Portugal’s Loureiro grape offers a similar mouthwatering freshness and floral notes, akin to your favorite Riesling. This grape produces wines that can also age well, providing a balance of crisp acidity and rich aromas.
Top Loureiro Wines
Quinta do Ameal Escolha Loureiro
Paco da Palmeira 'Royal Palmeira' Loureiro Sur Lies Fines
Quinta do Tamariz Loureiro
Another Portuguese Wine Like Riesling: Bical
For those looking for something even more off the beaten path, the Bical grape from the Bairrada DOC region is another great choice. Known for its high acidity and notes of peach, apricot, and tropical fruit, this wine is perfect for summer aperitifs.
Top Bical Wines
Dominio do Acor Vinha Celta Bical
Campolargo Classico Bical
Filipa Pato & William Wouters Post Quercus Bical
Portuguese Wines Like Pinot Grigio
For fans of Pinot Grigio, you can’t go wrong with Alvarinho from Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. These wines share that crisp, clean, and refreshing character that makes them ideal for warm weather sipping. Imagine biting into a fresh green apple—exactly the sensation you get from a well-made Alvarinho.
Top Alvarinho Wines
Luis Seabra Granito Cru Alvarinho
Soalheiro Alvarinho
Aveleda Vinho Verde Fonte
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Best Portugal Wine: Red Wines
Lovers of rich, bold red wines are in for a real treat with Portugal’s red wines. Whether you prefer powerful reds with firm tannins like Cabernet Sauvignon or elegant, lighter wines like Pinot Noir, Portugal has a vast array of red grape varieties to explore.
Portuguese Wines Like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
For those who love big, bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, the Portuguese Touriga Nacional grape is a must-try. This variety, often grown in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Douro Region, produces rich, spicy reds with ripe blackberries and black-currant fruits that are perfect for pairing with hearty beef dishes or barbecue.
Top Touriga Nacional Wines
Quinta do Noval Touriga Nacional
Burmester Touriga Nacional
Quinta da Foz Cuvée 1872 Touriga Nacional
If your're looking for spicy reds with big fruit flavor, consider reds from the Alentejo region, a part of Portugal that boasts over 250 indigenous grape varieties. One standout grape variety in this area is Alicante Bouschet, known for its deep red color and fine tannins. These wine grapes have rich fruit flavors and red flesh and are one of the best options for tasting Alentejo wines.
Top Alicante Bouschet Wines
Vidigueira Alicante Bouschet DOC
Fitapreta o Iluminista
Vinho Tinto Vallado Alicante Bouschet
Portuguese Wines Like Pinot Noir
If you prefer your reds light and elegant, check out Baga from the Bairrada DOC region. It’s often referred to as Portugal’s answer to Pinot Noir because of its small berries and high acidity, which produce wines with similar finesse and complexity.
Top Baga Wines
Vadio Tinto
Niepoort Poeirinho Baga
Casa de Saima Colheita Tinto
Portuguese Wines Like Merlot
Fans of smooth, silky reds like Merlot or Cabernet Franc should try Touriga Franca. Grown predominantly in the wine tour capital of Portugal, the Douro Valley, this grape offers a lighter, more elegant version of Portuguese reds, perfect for pairing with pasta or a rich Portuguese-style beef stew.
Top Touriga Franca Wines
Quinta do Crasto Touriga Franca
Quinta do Passadouro Touriga Franca
Monte da Ravasqueira Touriga Franca
Portuguese Wines Like Tempranillo and Sangiovese
Did you know that Portugal makes wine from Tempranillo, but here it’s called Tinta Roriz or Aragonez? If you love Tempranillo or Sangiovese, be sure to explore these medium-bodied, smooth-tannin reds from the high mountains of the Dão Region, Douro Wines, and Lisboa.
Top Tinta Roriz Wines
Churchill's Grafite Tinta Roriz
Quinta da Pacheca Tinta Roriz Grand Reserve
Quinta Do Crasto Tinta Roriz
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Best Portugal Wine: Sweet Wines
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Portugal's wines won’t disappoint! From fortified Port Wine to sweet Moscatel, these dessert wines offer the perfect ending to any meal.
Portuguese Wines Like Moscato
Lovers of sweet wines like Moscato should try Moscatel de Setúbal. These wines offer rich flavors of honey, caramel, and dried apricots, and are fantastic when paired with a Portuguese pastel de nata.
Top Moscatel de Setúbal Wines
Adega de Palmela Moscatel de Setubal
Quinta do Piloto Moscatel de Setubal
José Maria Da Fonseca Moscatel De Setubal
Portuguese Port
No discussion of the best Portuguese wines is complete without mentioning Port Wine. Made exclusively in the Douro Region, Port comes in a variety of styles, from rich and bold Vintage Port to lighter, fruitier White Port.
Top Port Wines
Cockburn's Fine Ruby Port
Quinta do Noval Tawny Port
Dow's Fine White Port
Conclusion
From light, zesty whites to bold, powerful reds, Portugal’s wine regions offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir, there’s a Portuguese equivalent waiting to surprise you. These great wines from different regions of Portugal showcase the diversity and quality of Portuguese table wines, making them a great buy or wine list choice for any wine enthusiast.
Take it a step further and visit some Portuguese wineries and wine cellars so you can understand from the wine experts how the wines are made and the love and pride the Portuguese people put into their wines.
Whether at home or at the winery, you’re sure to discover the best Portugal wine for you!
FAQs
1. What is the best wine region in Portugal for red wines?
The Douro Region is famous for its bold red wines, particularly those made from Touriga Nacional and other local varieties.
2. What wine is Portugal famous for?
Portugal is globally recognized for its Port Wine, especially from the Douro River Valley.
3. What grape varieties are unique to Portugal?
Arinto, Encruzado, and Baga are some of the unique indigenous grape varieties in Portugal.
4. What are the best wines to pair with Portuguese cuisine?
For rich meat dishes, try a Touriga Nacional from the Douro Valley. For seafood, a crisp Vinho Verde is ideal.
5. Is Portuguese wine good value for money?
Yes, many Portugal wines offer excellent value, with high quality and affordable prices (compared to the United States), especially from small producers and lesser-known regions.
Life in Portugal
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