About Portugal


Portugal’s Port Wine History

Portugal’s wine history began with the Romans, but its port tradition began in the 18th century when war deprived England of French wine. Despite friendlier trade relations, Portuguese wine posed a problem since it often spoiled on its long boat trip to England. As a result, merchants began fortifying the wine with brandy to prolong its shelf-life. The wine was made in the hot Douro River
valley, placed on boats, and floated down stream to Portugal’s northernmost (and closest to England) port – a town appropriately named “Porto.” There, English owned and operated wineries aged and blended the wine to their countryman’s liking and shipped it off. While port is enjoyed domestically and across the world, the English still drink the most per capita.


Port’s Wine Region

In order to keep their unique port tradition, the Portuguese government’s Port and Douro Wines Institute mandates strict grape-growing guidelines. By law, port grapes can only be grown in the Douro River Valley and the vines must never be watered (yes…you read that correctly). Here grapes struggle, shooting roots deep into the soil to find water. Their skins grow so tough that the wines’ tannins are very harsh. While undesirable in most table wines, port must begin this way so that after fortification and aging a strong tannic structure remains. The Douro River Valley’s vineyards are terraced – cascading down hills so steep that most wineries cannot use modern grape-picking machines. With so many grapes picked by hand, the region is the world’s most expensive place to maintain vineyards.


Portugal’s People, Culture, and Food

Portugal’s border with Spain has remained unchanged longer than any other in Europe. After a long history of fervently defending attacks from their northern neighbors, the Portuguese have developed a strong national identity. From a devastating earthquake in 1755, to a rapid rise and crash of wealth in the age of exploration, to their recent history of crippling dictatorships, the Portuguese are at the same time humble and made of iron. They are famously gentle, warm, and outgoing people who have a love for food, wine and family. Their troubled past gave rise to their passionate and mournful sounding Fado music.


As the mother of famous explorers like Vasco de Gama and Christopher Columbus, Portugal has always looked to the sea. With such a strong ocean-faring tradition, their cuisine centers on seafood. However, their traditional fish and octopus recipes are flavored with olive oil and produce grown inland. Also, the country’s Alentejo region supplies the world’s cork. Their cork oak forests are hundreds of years old, and while man-made, they host a unique ecosystem and varied wildlife.

 

Portugal Slideshow