Occupying the northwest region of Portugal, the Demarcated Region of Vinhos Verdes has the ideal natural conditions for the production of excellent white wines, endowed with a natural freshness and low alcohol content. The influence of sea winds from the Atlantic Ocean, together with the soil, climate and grape varieties of the region, make Vinho Verde unique in the world. Also noteworthy are good sparkling wines and excellent brandies.
Sub Region Monção e Melgaço
Monção and Melgaço belong to the Demarcated Region of Vinho Verde. This region, protected by the Vale do Minho mountain range and surrounded by the Minho River and its tributaries, has a very particular microclimate. The mild temperatures and the low thermal amplitude felt, remove the greatest potential from the Alvarinho grape varieties, giving rise to a wine of excellence and unique.
The Alvarinho variety is characterized by its small bunches, low production and high quality. The berry is medium in size, round and yellow in color, reaching pink tones when fully ripe. It gives rise to wines with a citric color, delicate aroma and in the mouth it is balanced, light and fresh.
The Douro region is characterized by its schist soils and its climate of cold winters and hot, dry summers. The Marão and Montemuro mountains contribute to the climate and act as barriers to the humid currents that come from the Atlantic. The Alto Douro region is located in the far west, closer to Serra do Marão, where rainfall and vineyard yields are higher.
The proof that the Douro region is conducive to viticulture, albeit with low productivity, is the great diversity of existing grape varieties. Among the red varieties, the highlights are Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão; the predominant white varieties are Malvasia Fina, Viosinho, Donzelinho and Gouveio.
The Dão Demarcated Region is good for wine production. The region is protected from the winds by the Caramulo, Montemuro, Buçaco and Estrela mountains, where very cold and rainy winters and hot and dry summers are felt. The altitude of the vineyards (400-700 meters), together with the characteristics of the soils (schist and granite) and the characteristics of nature (large expanses of pine forests) lead to the production of full-bodied wines with a high capacity for aging in the bottle.
Among the red varieties, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Tinta Roriz and Encruzado stand out. In white, Bical, Cercial, Malvasia Fina and Verdelho.
The area of Alenquer assumes great prominence, being the most famous in the Wine Region of Lisbon, both for its extension and for the quality and prestige of its wines.
The Serra de Montejunto, which provides protection from the North wind, the microclimate with a strong Atlantic influence, the topography of the steep slopes and the clay-limestone soils allow for a notable diversity of ideal characteristics that imprint unique expressions on the grape varieties.
Red wines are vinous, lively and bright when young; intense and balanced, with a rare bouquet when staged and aged. The white wines are aromatic, full and persistent in flavor, evidencing the Mediterranean influence on the maturation of the grapes. These are wines of notorious quality, with emphasis on those from the southwestern half of the hillside.
