Lisbon, the pearl on the Atlantic. Portugal's capital lies surrounded by beautiful beaches and vineyards on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. There, it extends in seven steps over seven hills along the shore, which gives the city its very special charm and earned it the name "City of the 7 Hills".
In its surroundings is the wine region that until 2009 was still known as Estremadura and has developed in recent centuries into one of Portugal's most important growing areas. Today it is known by the name Lisboa.
Versatile climate and geographical uniqueness
The Lisboa region is particularly characterized by its different climate zones and soil conditions. Inland, mountains and hills provide protection for the eastern part, on the coast it is very windy and the cultivation areas are often protected with the help of bamboo groves.
The mild winter and relatively hot summer, which is however mitigated by the cool wind from the Atlantic and thus rarely results in extreme temperatures, overall creates good conditions for wine growing.
Precisely because of this climatic versatility, Lisboa has a large selection of wines of different quality to offer. So excellent wines such as DOC, Vinho Regional, but also affordable table wines are offered.
Quality over mass production
Nowadays, a high quality is placed on above all in Lisboa. Yet two decades ago, it looked quite different. With 60,000 hectares of vineyard at the time (today 30,000 hectares), cultivation alone in this region accounted for a quarter of the country's total production.
Under the motto "Quantity instead of quality", the producers of large quantities of cheap barrel wine could make a good living and earn decent incomes.
But consumption behavior has also changed in Portugal and consumers have much higher demands on the taste of the wine. So many manufacturers had to adapt to secure their survival in the industry.
After the reconstruction of the wine-growing area, the entire quality potential of the region is now being exploited.
The most far-reaching change in this process concerned the area of grape varieties: Many producers separated themselves from the varieties that although they brought a high yield, did not meet the same quality standard as the varieties from which they now obtain the high-quality wine.
An enormous role was played here by the introduction of the designation Vinho Regional Estremadura in 1993. This opened up the opportunity for winemakers to plant the most suitable grape varieties in their vineyards, thereby producing more individual wines and catering to every taste.
With this turnaround in production and the increased quality of the wine, many winemakers gained new self-confidence. They could now finally break through internationally and are now able to quench the thirst for wine of customers throughout Europe.
Thus, the wine from Lisboa no longer stands in the shadow of the wines of other regions, but is today mostly offered under the designation Vinho Regional Estremadura or bears the name of a DOC region within the area.
The subregions of Lisboa
Lisboa has more subregions than any other growing area in Portugal: nine in total. In these nine DOC areas, wines are produced independently that make up a large part of the unique character of the region and are thus of enormous importance.
DOC Encostas de Aire
With its sub-areas Alcobaça and Ourém, Encostas de Aire is the largest DOC area within the Lisboa wine region. The area is known as a supplier of mostly light, pale red wines and sparkling, aromatic and fruit-forward white wines.
Because of its size, the change process in the 20th century reached this area last. But now the qualitative turnaround that modernization has brought with it is also clearly noticeable here.
DOC Alenquer
This region is located approx. 50 km north of Lisbon and is one of the most important growing areas of Lisboa, especially in terms of quality. Here, both DOC wines and wines under the designation Vinho regional Estremadura are produced.
The vineyards of the area are protected from the wind by the limestone hills of the Serra Montejunto and are thus in an excellent position for cultivation.
DOC Arruda
In the middle of a dreamlike landscape, surrounded by hills and old windmills, the small DOC Arruda is located directly near the capital. This area is mainly known for the production of red wines.
DOC Bucelas
This small DOC area was officially delimited in 1911 north of Lisbon around the municipality of Bucelas. The region south of Arruda has a good reputation for its cool-fermented white wines.
The warm sub-Mediterranean coastal climate ensures a high acidity in the wines grown here. The winemakers of the region experiment with different vinification techniques and traditional sparkling wines.
DOC Carcavelos
The now small DOC area lies on the southern tip of Lisbon and is exclusively known for red and white liqueur wines. The wine tradition there dates back to the 18th century. In the 19th century, the wines from Carcavelos even enjoyed worldwide fame.
DOC Colares
DOC Colares stretches along the Atlantic coast in the southwest. The vines grow protected from strong sea winds behind sand dunes.
The deeply colored wines, which are obtained from ungrafted Ramisco vine stocks, are among the oldest in all of Portugal.
DOC Torres Vedras
The region around the small town of Torres Vedras lies on the Atlantic side of the Serra de Montejunto, where a cool, windy climate prevails.
The region is known for its mostly light and dry white wines. In small quantities, light and spicy red wines are also produced.
DOC Óbidos
This DOC is located at the charming small town of Óbidos. The cool air prevailing here offers the best conditions for fresh wines. So it is no wonder that some of the best sparkling wines of Portugal come exactly from this region, although white and red wines are also very common here.
DOC Lourinhã
The neighboring region of Lourinhã is the DOC for Aguardentes, i.e., brandy. This is the only Portuguese appellation that focuses exclusively on brandy.
The grapes of Lisboa
The white grape variety diversity
Portugal can boast a diversity of autochthonous grape varieties. Below, the grapes that are increasingly cultivated in the Lisboa wine region are introduced.
Arinto – powerful and lively
Arinto is a versatile grape that is grown in most regions of Portugal.
Powerful and lively wines are made from Arinto, whose aromatics surprise with a refreshing acidity with often mineral quality and a light apple, lime, and lemon taste.
Fernão Pires – aromatic
Fernão Pires is one of the most frequently grown grape varieties in Portugal. This grape grows more or less everywhere in the country.
It is very aromatic and combines aromas of lime, lemon, roses, mandarins, and orange. These wines are best drunk young.
Malvasia – sweet
The wines of the Malvasia grape are often characterized by a discreet and delicate scent and a long-lasting finish and can be combined with a wide variety of dishes.
White Malvasia wines are characterized by their straw-yellow color and a floral-fruity aroma. They are dry, soft, fresh, and pleasantly mineral
Seara Nova – light and neutral
The wines of Seara Nova are rather light and neutral in aroma, have a medium body, accompanied by a hint of citrus and apple. Their alcohol content is often relatively high.
Vital – neutral
The wines pressed from the Vital vine are mostly high in alcohol and should be drunk young.
They are easy to drink, have little complexity and are neutral in taste.
The red grapes of Lisboa
Alicante Bouschet – velvety and round
Thanks to the deep red pulp, this grape produces a very dark red wine, which is mainly characterized by the taste of dark cherry, plum, blackberry, blueberry, and dried spices.
Aragonez – fruity
The Aragonez grape variety produces dark, fruity, and characterful wines that delight with notes of cherries, blackcurrants, and raspberries.
Castelão – rustic
Castelão is grown in the south of the country and feels most at home in a hot and dry climate. The wines obtained from the Castelão grape are acidic and contain aromas of redcurrant, dried plum, as well as occasionally a note of well-aged game. This gives them their typical rustic character.
Tinta Miúda – fruity and spicy
A relatively rare, noble variety that produces powerful and full-bodied wines with a floral aroma at low yields, which is particularly characterized by red berries and lemongrass.
Touriga Franca – finely spicy
By now, this grape is cultivated everywhere in northern Portugal. Color-intensive, dense, and elegant red wines are obtained from it, which are characterized by blackberry and floral aromas.
Touriga Nacional – intense, floral, and fruity
Many wine connoisseurs agree: Touriga Nacional belongs to Portugal's best grapes and at the very top of the world ranking. Although the grape variety has its origin in the north, it is spread throughout the country.
Touriga has a thick skin and is characterized by its powerful color. Its bouquet is very intense, at the same time floral and fruity with notes of blackcurrants, raspberries, herbs, and licorice.
Trincadeira – fruity and spicy
The fruit-forward and characteristically fleshy wines of this grape variety bring out a very specific silkiness and fruit intensity. In the bouquet, notes of blackberries, forest berries, cinnamon, and cloves are mainly found.
Do you want to know more about Portuguese wine regions? Then check out our Wines from Portugal Blog.
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 writing of professional blog posts.
