Viticulture in the Azores – perfect conditions for exquisite wines

Portugal has a lot to offer, but the Azores are a special kind of gem. From viticulture to culinary specialties, sights, myths and legends – join us on a journey through the Azores!

The Azores – a rediscovered goldmine

The Azores are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean that, according to historical accounts, was discovered by the Carthaginians even before our era. However, the coordinates were not recorded at the time, and the islands disappeared from people's memories for several hundred years before being rediscovered by the Portuguese in the 14th century and mapped.

An accidental name

The name “Ilhas dos Acores”, as the archipelago is known in Portugal, literally means “Islands of the Hawks”. However, there are no hawks in this region – the native buzzards were mistakenly misinterpreted, leading to this actually “incorrect” name.

Does Atlantis exist after all?

Who has never heard of the legendary city of “Atlantis”, which sank into the depths of the sea along with all its inhabitants? Today, some experts believe that Atlantis may have actually existed in a modified form. They point to the centuries-long disappearance of the Azores, which may have sown the seeds of this legend.

All good things come in nines

Let's move away from the history and legends of the Azores and turn to the present. Today, the Azores consist of 9 larger islands:

1. São Miguel
2. Santa Maria
3. Pico
4. Faial
5. São Jorge
6. Terceira
7. Graciosa
8. Flores
9. Corvo

The Azores also include several small, uninhabited islands, although these are usually overlooked.

Interesting facts about the region

The flora and fauna of the Azores developed very individually due to their distance from the mainland. This allowed the typical laurel forests of the Azores to develop, although they have increasingly been displaced by the introduction of non-native plant and tree species.

Except for one species of bat, there are no native mammals on the islands. However, this lack of species is balanced by the diversity of native marine life. Over 500 different fish species live along the coasts, while 38 species of whales and dolphins can be identified!

Viticulture in the Azores

Thanks to the volcanic soil and the favorable climate, the Azores region has had numerous vineyards since antiquity. However, a relatively large part was destroyed by imported pests such as mildew and phylloxera. Today, viticulture is concentrated on only three islands

• Graciosa
• Pico
• Terceira

The wine produced here may be designated as “Vinho Regional” and bear the nickname of the Acores (Azores).

Originally, Azores wines were made for purely religious purposes and served as sacramental wine in the numerous mainly Roman Catholic churches.

The uniqueness of Azores wines

The range of wines produced in the Azores is almost exclusively limited to acidic white wines. The associated grape varieties are mainly grown in the following provinces:

• Terrantez
• Verdelho
• Arinto
• Viosinho
• Fernaõ Pires

Uniqueness: In the past, wines were fortified to make them suitable for aging during transport. This method for improved aging is still used in the Azores today.

Through “fortification”, i.e., the addition of selected spirits, the fermentation process is interrupted and the wines reach an alcohol content of over 17%.

Azores Wine: Tips for Connoisseurs

Azores wines are particularly suitable for lovers of quality white wines who prefer a tart aroma.

The grape variety “white Verdelho”, native to the Mediterranean region, is specifically used to make the typical wines. The “Vinho Comun” and the “Vinho Passado” are probably the most popular and well-known types of wine produced from these grapes.

But red wine lovers will also find suitable examples in the variety of Azores wines. The “Vinho do Cheiro”, a fortified wine from the Pico region, impresses with its rich strawberry aroma, high alcohol content and unique, tart taste.

Tip: By the way, the Azores are famous not only for their wines but also for the fish served there. Thanks to the great variety, there is something for almost every taste, with canned tuna considered a delicacy.

The Azores in Numbers – 10 Facts About the Archipelago

1. Sao Miguel is the main island and, with an area of just under 747 square kilometers, the largest island in the Azores.
   
2. The nine main islands are divided into three groups:
   
   > Central Group: Pico, Sao Jorge, Terceira, Faial and Graciosa
   > Western Group: Flores and Corva
   > Eastern Group: Sao Miguel and Santa Maria
   
   
3. The Pico volcano on the island of Pico is the highest mountain in Portugal.
   
4. There is no snow or frost in the Azores. The only exception is the higher mountains, although the Pico volcano is often covered in snow.
   
5. The viticultural areas on the island of Pico, covering 987 hectares, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
   
6. The Azores now have four airports that can be reached from all over the world. In addition, the proportion of tourists, mainly from European and North American countries, has increased rapidly in recent years.
   
7. German tourists only need to bring their ID card for a holiday in the Azores – no further documents are required, as the Azores are part of Portugal and therefore the European Union.
   
8. Over 12,000 hectoliters of wine are produced in the Azores annually. This corresponds to a volume of 12 million liters.
   
9. To protect the vineyards from damage caused by saltwater and strong winds, the cultivation areas are enclosed with stacked lava stones.
   
10. In addition to various types of wine, a spirit called Aguardente is produced on the island of Graciosa, which is also well-known and popular worldwide.

Conclusion

A visit to the Azores can prove to be very interesting and educational not only for wine lovers but also for the curious and history enthusiasts.

Thanks to the mild climate, a holiday in this Atlantic archipelago is practically worthwhile at any time of year. Especially during the autumn harvest, the islands appear in their full colorful splendor, accompanied by the sweet scent of ripe grapes.

About the Author

Inara Muradowa is an SEO expert and corporate blogger. In addition to technical search engine optimization and SEO consulting, she actively supports companies with the conception and creation of professional blog posts.