WINES OF THE LISBON REGION

The Lisbon Region holds an important place in the Portuguese wine landscape, due to the extension of its vineyards but especially due to the quality of its wines and brandies.

In Portugal the growing of grapes dates back to before the Roman occupation: (200BC). It was further developed in the Middle Ages by the various religious congregations which settled in the country, and acquired an increasingly important place in the economy and culture of the region.

Carcavelos, Colares and Bucelas were the first denominations to be created in the Lisbon Region. All three are located on the outskirts of the city of Lisbon and produce wines with completely different characteristics, though each has its own remarkable identity and quality.

Further north we find large stretches of vineyards planted on the slopes and hills that characterise the area where they are. The wines from this region bear the controlled denomination of Alenquer, Arruda and Torres Vedras, and have obtained due recognition.

Close to the sea we find the delimited region of Lourinhã which produces wine suited for high quality brandies.

The wine production region of Óbidos, known for its distinctive red and white wines and recently for its sparkling wines, lies a little further north.

The northern limit of the Lisbon region runs from the hills of Serra d’Aire to the sea. This vast wine region, although divided into small parcels of land, produces wines with the appellation of origin of Encostas d’ Aire.

Besides the DOC wines mentioned above, the region produces a considerable volume of certified wine under the appellation “Regional Wine of Lisbon”, including a Light Wine, (Vinho Leve) which we point out on account of its specific characteristics.

The different “terroirs”, land formation, soils, climate, grape varieties and the will of man account for the variety of wines produced in the large and stretched Lisbon Region. Thus, one can always find the right wine to go with any occasion.

Fonte: CVRLx