Ep 142: Portugal

Portugal has a rich winemaking tradition, a long history with wine, and lots of great wine regions. With a ton of indigenous grapes and a variety of climates across regions, it's a fascinating wine powerhouse and it's on the rise! 

• We discuss the 4000 year history of winemaking in Portugal
• We talk about the challenges Portugal has had in recent decades and how its winemaking is getting back on track
• We talk grapes and how most of them are native to Portugal
• We discuss the classification system: Vinho de Mesa, Vinho Regional, Indicação de Proveniência Regulamenta (IPR), Denominação de Origem Controlada
• And then we hit the regions:
  • Vinho Verde
  • Tras Os Montes
  • Douro
  • Dão
  • Bairrada
  • Beira
  • Do Tejo
  • Alentejo
  • Lisboa
  • Península de Setúbal
  • Algarve
  • Madeira

Portugal is a fascinating place. It's a lot to digest because the grapes, region, and language are unfamiliar to many of us but the wine is worth seeking out. It's only getting better!