Portugal
The rich viticultural history of Portugal means Port and Madeira to many of the world's wine drinkers, but a carefully calculated renaissance over the last 30 years has seen the country's outlook shift to high quality, flavoursome table wines. The hotbed of this new wave of winemaking is in the heart of Portugal's Port production region, the Douro. Areas such as Dao, Alentejo, Algarve and Minho are also at the forefront of quality wine, making the crisp, tangy whites found in Vinho Verde or bright, characterful reds made from Tempranillo.
The famous fortified wines of the island of Madeira are also part of Portugal's vinous fabric, with their delicate nature and tremendous ability to age. The fortified Port wines of the Douro remain Portugal's calling card, and the terraced vineyards clinging to steep slopes high above the Douro River are an iconic photo opportunity. These gorgeous ruby and tawny wines, sweet and full of vibrant, complex fruit are mainstays in any cellar.
