The two red varieties most appreciated by wine enthusiasts are both from Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and both are also the most widely planted varieties in the world.
The third most produced red variety worldwide is Tempranillo, which in Portugal is considered in practically all regions under the name of Tinta Roriz or Aragonêz if in Alentejo.
However, the third and fourth most popular grape varieties are Pinot Noir, the soul of Burgundy wines, and Syrah, from the Rhone Valley.
All four of these varieties of French origin are present in Portugal, with special emphasis on Syrah, which cuts across all regions and can be found in many blends or on its own, especially in the Alentejo, where it entered in Portugal, and more recently in the Douro, where it has found a terroir of choice for producing great wines.
The Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir varieties, on the other hand, have found their place of choice in the Lisbon and Tejo regions, although there are examples of single varietal wines from both varieties in practically every region.
The Merlot variety is the one with the least representation in Portugal, and some of the examples of this variety are the result of the producer's taste for this variety, having cultivated a plot of vines to produce his Merlot wine.
From north to south we have seen a big focus on these four grape varieties, because if on the one hand they are the most appreciated by wine lovers, on the other hand the unique terroir of each region in Portugal produces wines that are very different from region to region, differentiated and much cheaper than the wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux or the Rhone, and above all very different from wines from the so-called new world.
Where the distinction is clearest is undoubtedly in the Syrahs of Douro and Alentejo, where they produce wines with a very different profile, but in both cases very refined and very different from the robust Shiraz of the Barossa Valley.
We've selected some good examples of single varietal wines from these four varieties so that you can experience the more international profile of the Portuguese reds.
