Growing Region Alentejo | Portugal

Between the towns of the Alentejo, one can drive for miles through impressive cork oak forests, shimmering green olive groves and delicately scented lavender fields without encountering a single soul. Wheat, corn and sunflowers color the landscape golden yellow - now and then broken only by a green vineyard with sometimes wonderfully old vines.

DOC Alentejo wines may only be produced in specific areas within the Vinho Regional Alentejo. In order to regulate viticulture and to do justice to the different microclimates, the Alentejo DOC has been divided into eight sub-regions (Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Vidigueira, Reguengos, Moura, Évora and Granja/Amareleja), most of which are located in the center of the region. All DOC wines are given the designation DOC Alentejo, sometimes supplemented with the name of the sub-region. A growing number of regional wines run under 'Vinho Regional Alentejano'. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that some of the grapes do not come from the DOC areas. On the other hand, many winemakers are also consciously taking advantage of the greater leeway offered by the VR regulations. For example, many more grape varieties, including international varieties such as Syrah, are permitted.

The best time to visit the Alentejo is in April or May, when everything blooms and smells aromatic, before the onset of the summer drought. Less than five percent of Portugal's population lives in this region, and only occasionally do you see farmhouses on small hills. The Alentejo region is known for its beef and for its succulent, aromatic ham, as well as its pork, which comes from black pigs that live in the forests and feed on acorns.

Main white grape varieties (vary by sub-region):
Arinto, Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Fernão Pires, Perrum.

Red main grape varieties (vary by subregion):
Aragonez, Trincadeira, Castelão, Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet.