Portugal
is one of the most exciting areas of Europe for high-quality, well-priced wines today. After decades of being known for Mateus, Lancers and their ilk, the country is practically exploding with great producers, some new, some just new to our shores. From the light crisp whites (and roses and reds) of the Vinho Verde district to the northeast, the rich spicy reds of Dao, Douro and Tras-os-Montes, to the lush, balanced varietals of the Alantejo, there's an embarrassment of riches to be tasted and explored. Terroir will be continuing to explore the world of Portuguese wines and to bring you the best of what this amazing country has to offer!
Our Portuguese Producers
Minho & Douro
Dao
Tejo & Alentejo
Casal Monteiro (Tejo)
Terra de Touros (Tejo)
Cork-oak trees in the Tejo, Portugal
cork production
Portugal is also the world’s foremost producer of cork from its ancient cork-oak forests. Native to Portugal, cork trees thrive in the country’s hot, dry climate and account for nearly half of the world’s cork production. The Tejo region alone has over 30,000 acres of cork forests and the municipality of Coruche in the Sanatrém district is the single largest cork producing area in all of Portugal.
Cork is harvested by hand, as it has been for centuries. Workers strip off the bark of each tree about every ten years, allowing the bark to regenerate for the next harvest. It is only after the second or third harvest (about 25 years) that the cork quality will be high enough for use in wine production.
