Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1534783
and old-fashioned winemaking techniques are making way for a new wave of budding winemakers with modern-day methods and ideas for packaging and branding and, as a result, the Portuguese wine market is thriving. With Portugal offering such a kaleidoscope of climates and landscapes, the country's wine produce significantly differs. Grapes in the north of Portugal are fresher and 'greener', the hot Mediterranean south is best for deep, full-bodied reds, and its tropical islands bring a completely different experience to its wines, with grapes growing on craggy cliffs cooled by sea air. Today, Portugal's leading wine-producing region is the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley. Vineyards follow the bends of the river as it meanders all the way to Portugal's second largest city, the culinary destination of Porto. e landscapes here are a sight to behold by land or by river cruise, and those floating through might spot grapes being picked from the vines on steep valleys – hard work for the harvesters, but the result is worth it. e Douro is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and a great spot for Port wine. ere are plenty of opportunities to sample Douro wine here, with visits to the estates, or quintas – the most authentic, charming, family-run vineyards just on the outskirts of the capital. Minho is another wine hotspot known for its vinho verde, a refreshing 'green wine' made with a young grape. Minho is the largest wine region in Portugal by size, and there are many a romantic wine estate here, perfect for spending a blissful afternoon in the southern sun. Alentejo too is another option for oenophiles, situated in the south of Portugal boasting a hot Mediterranean climate making it optimal for those easy-drinking reds. Lisbon, too, offers rich pickings, with nine sub-regions for wine, while the lush tropical island of Madeira produces the second most famous fortified wine from Portugal, coming in a range of tastes, from sweet to dry. Meanwhile, Barca d'Alva is a Portuguese port town near Spain, in the shadows of magnificent mountains and the gateway to the Quinta do Seixo – an historic port wine-making facility typical of the Douro region. With the country's wine making history stretching back over centuries, Portugal's wine is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and a place on the dining table. viking.com 75