Wine-producing region special feature "Portugal"
About Portuguese wine
Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southern Europe. It borders the Spanish Meseta to the east and faces the Pacific Ocean to the west.
As a result, Portugal is mainly divided into coastal plains and rugged mountainous areas , and the scenery, climate, and even food culture vary greatly depending on the region.
Speaking of Portugal, it has a long history of trade with Japan, and it is said that the first red wine to be introduced to Japan was actually produced in Portugal .
However, compared to famous wine producing regions such as France and Italy, Portuguese wine is not very well known in Europe today, and it still remains somewhat mysterious.
In addition to sweet port wine, wines such as the dark red wines of the Douro and, in recent years, Vinho Verde, which is best consumed early, have also begun to attract attention.
Portuguese wine highlights
Along with Spain, Portugal was at the forefront of the Age of Discovery, and subsequent voyages and trade influenced wine and food culture.
2. Portugal's wine regionsPortugal, which is divided into coastal plains and rugged mountainous regions, produces many different types of wine.
3. Sweet Port WinePortugal produces two of the world's three major fortified wines, Port wine (Porto) and Madeira wine.
1. Key figures in the Age of Discovery
After Prince Henry the Navigator and others ushered in the Age of Discovery in the 15th century, Portugal's overseas trade flourished, centered on the port of Porto.
In order to withstand the long voyage to England, fortified Porto and Madeira were created, and Portuguese food culture and wine spread throughout the country through trade.
It is said that Portuguese wine was first introduced to Japan during this period.
2. Portugal's wine regions
Portugal is divided into coastal plains and rugged mountainous areas , and produces a wide variety of wines.
The Vinho Verde region in northwestern Portugal has a mild marine climate. Vinho Verde, which is produced in this region and has been attracting attention in recent years, literally means "green wine." It is a wine made from young grapes that are not yet fully ripe, and is characterized by its refreshing taste .
The mountainous areas, including the Douro, are steep and have a large difference in elevation between the plains and the mountains, making them rugged regions . There is little rain and it is very dry, so the grapes have to grow roots deep into the ground in search of water . This dry climate and the large temperature difference between day and night give the grapes in the mountains a very concentrated and powerful finish .
The Douro has a climate suitable for growing wine grapes, and wine production began around the 3rd century.
3. Sweet Port Wine
In Portugal, where trade with other countries flourished centering on the Port of Porto, Port wine, which could withstand long voyages and was also used as a tonic on board ships, became popular. In the 18th century, large-scale exports of wine began to England, which controlled the oceans. A method of fortifying the wine by adding brandy was established to make it withstand long voyages.
Along with Spain's Sherry, Portugal also produces two of the world's three great fortified wines, Port (Porto) and Madeira.
In the 1730s, a case of false sugar being added to Port wine was discovered, and since then production controls were strengthened. In 1756, the world's first control of the country of origin of wine was also established.
Currently, there are few small-scale producers of Porto wine, and most producers sell the grapes they grow to major manufacturers.
Mavi producer Pintuicurus' brewery is small and he cannot mass-produce wine, so after making wine using selected grapes, he wholesales the remaining grapes to major manufacturers.
Portuguese Wine Producers of Mavi
Pintu i Cruz Family/Douro, Portugal
Casau dos Jordos
The Pintu i Cruz family's "Cazau dos Joldos" is a long-established winery founded in 1870. In 1994, the Portuguese government established subsidies for organic wine production, which prompted the company to switch to organic wine production. Since then, the company has become a highly skilled producer, winning over 40 awards at national and international competitions.
The grapes are grown on incredibly steep slopes of 15 to 35 degrees, so naturally they are harvested by hand and without the use of machines. Even local farmers say that "organic is impossible here," but under these conditions, Pintu i Cruz is able to produce excellent organic wine thanks to his experience and knowledge as an agricultural engineer who studied agronomy and oenology at the University of Coimbra.
All of the grapes are organic, but only the best quality fruit is used for the homemade wines - just 20% of the total - and the rest is sold to major wine makers.
The Douro region of Portugal mainly produces Porto (Port) , one of the world's three major fortified wines, but the red wine unique to this region, " Douro ," is also popular.
Please try this masterpiece made from the finest fruit from the highest quality fields.
Enjoy Portuguese wine and gourmet food
In the Portuguese coastline, people often enjoy fresh seafood caught in the sea in hearty dishes with simple seasonings. Famous dishes include cataplana, which is seafood steamed in a pot, and charcoal-grilled sardines .
And when talking about Portuguese cuisine, one thing that is indispensable is bacalhau , salted cod. Before the development of freezing technology, bacalhau developed in Spanish-speaking countries, including Portugal, by salting and drying cod caught in the sea. Every restaurant in Portugal has a menu that uses bacalhau, and it is said that there are more than 1,000 recipes, enough for 365 days of the year.
In addition, there are many dishes that simply combine meat or fish with vegetables, such as Portuguese pot-au-feu. Cozido a Portuguesa The Alentejo-style pork and clams is delicious, bringing out the delicious flavor of the ingredients.
Dessert Rice pudding There are many desserts that use eggs, such as egg catalana and egg tarts, which are best enjoyed with Porto.
Portuguese Wine
Recommended popular wines
Porto Tawny
・Product number: 32003
・Producer: Pintu y Cruz family
(Douro, Portugal)
Food pairings: aperitif/digestive, dried fruit cake, chocolate almonds, and "moulon au port" made by cutting an almond in half, scooping out the seed and pouring port over it.
A complex aroma of fruit jam, coffee and cigars. A luxurious one with a well-balanced balance of an intoxicating sweetness and the aged tawny acidity. It is recommended to enjoy it as an aperitif or after-dinner drink with high-quality chocolate, dried fruit cake, or desserts with red fruit sauce.
Douro Red
・Product number: 32002
・Producer: Pintu y Cruz family
(Douro, Portugal)
・Food that goes well with it: local chicken, pork, wild rabbit, hard cheese, roast chicken, steak tartare, chicken pastilla, etc.
A full-bodied red wine. Made from Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Rorris varieties, it has a rich, mellow flavor that is full of the goodness of ripe fruit. The aftertaste is reminiscent of vanilla and caramel.
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