Beira Interior: Portugal’s rising star

The Beira Interior region is perhaps one of the lesser known wine regions in Portugal, but by those in the know, it’s most notable for one thing: the influence of altitude. Surrounded by the highest mountains on mainland Portugal, the vineyards of this region can be as a high as 750m above sea level. This creates a unique microclimate: the nights here are breezy and cool, slowing the growth of the grapes. This produces a crop with more uniform ripeness, enhanced concentration of aromas and flavours, and a notable, well balanced acidity in the final product. During the day, the greater proximity to the sun helps the vines to photosynthesize, developing deep colour and producing a wine with a more balanced level of alcohol. 

Alentejo: Where tradition & history are key

Alentejo is a vast, interior region in the south of Portugal, marked by its consistently hot and dry desert climate. The home of Portugal’s cork growing industry, the terrior here is varied: the area around Borba is famous for the mining of the white marble which adorns buildings across Europe. The pace of life here is slow, and commitment to tradition runs strong: this region is famous for Talha wines, a natural winemaking methodology that has been carried out consistently in the region since the time of the Phoenicians. The majority of the wines here are made with traditional Portuguese grape varieties, which have adapted over thousands of years to be perfectly suited to the climate – the chance to try something you truly cannot find on supermarket shelves.

Douro: Portugal’s best known wine region

Douro is the best known of Portugal’s region: famous for hundreds of years for its incredible beauty (thanks to its positioning along the Douro River) and the production of sweet Port wines. However, table wines from this region have been consistently growing in international prominence over the last few decades: recently, Decanter Magazine awarded 97 points to Quinta da Pedra Escrita red 2017, the highest ever awarded to a Portuguese table wine. This attention has created demand, pushing up the market value of all wines from Douro: it’s increasingly difficult to find real hidden gems in the region, wines which represent outstanding quality and value for money. We’ve put in the work to uncover the undiscovered, and bring you the very best the region has to offer.