The Lisboa wine region is the largest wine producing region in Portugal and is located on the west coast.
- Lisboa is the largest wine region in Portugal, covering over 4400 acres of red and white grapes, which yields a staggering 810 million bottles of wine annually.
- Portugal produces more table grapes than any other country, with 94% of these being table grapes for wine production.
- There are two main types of grapes: those used for sparkling wines such as Vinho Verde and rosé, and those used for making red table wines such as the Port, Tinto and Vinho.
- Many Portuguese regions produce wines from both types of grapes but Lisboa specializes in sparkling wines only.
Lisboa has moderate weather with a long summer and wide range of temperatures during the growing season. This allows for a long, sun filled ripening period.
Lisboa produces balanced and fruity wines. Visitors to the region will find a wide range of red, white and rosé styles.
The climate in Lisboa is very Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters. July temperatures can reach 30 C and in winter it can get down to 15 C.
This wide temperature range contributes to a long ripening season which allows grapes to develop complex flavours. Summer and autumn are generally hot and dry with little rainfall, perfect for grape growing! The proximity of the ocean also helps create a temperate climate, keeping the heat down during summer months.
The soil here ranges from sandy to granite and limestone.
Lisboa is one of the most interesting provinces in Portugal. It boasts a rocky terrain, a large variety of soils and climates, and a long coastline with beautiful beaches. The soil is varied here; some of it is sandy, others are granite or limestone. They differ considerably from one another, both in terms of their structure and the quality of their water supply. With this diversity comes an incredible amount of variety when it comes to wine production in Lisboa. We love the wines produced here, whether they’re fruity or full bodied and complex. They come from all kinds of terroirs: dry hillsides, fertile valleys, rocky slopes on the coast—each with its own unique characteristics that can be found in the wines produced here
It is one of the larger regions in Portugal, consisting of eight subregions, including Colares and Carcavelos, which are known for their indigenous varieties and fortified wines made from Malvasia grape.
Lisboa is one of the larger regions in Portugal, consisting of eight subregions, including Colares and Carcavelos, which are known for their indigenous varieties and fortified wines made from Malvasia grape. The region has a long winemaking tradition with origins dating back to the 12th century when it was controlled by Moorish rulers. Today, it is a popular destination for oenophiles seeking an alternative to France or Italy. Let’s explore five of Lisboa’s best wineries!
The Lisbon wine region’s white grapes include Arinto, Encruzado, Fernao Pires and Malvasia. Red grapes include Alfrocheiro, Castelao Francês, Touriga Franca and Trincadeira.
- Arinto and Fernao Pires are aromatic grape varieties native to the region.
- Encruzado and Malvasia are grape varieties brought to the region by the Romans.
Some of the Lisboa region’s most famous wines are Docsis Belem red sweet wine, Carcavelos fortified white wine, Colares red table wine made from Ramisco grape grown on sandy soil near ocean and palm trees, Bucelas white table wine made from Arinto grape.
Portugal is home to a staggering number of fantastic wines. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting one, or if you’re just looking for a fun way to learn more, then this section is for you!
Of course, most people are familiar with Port and Cabernet from the Bordeaux region in France. This isn’t surprising since wine laws in both countries make it difficult for producers outside of those regions to produce wine that can truly be called “Portugal.” However, Portugal does have its own unique wines worth mentioning:
Lisboa region: The Lisboa region produces mainly red wines. A famous red grape in this area is the Arinto , which is used primarily for sweet wine production but occasionally used for table wine as well. Said grapes were traditionally grown on sandy soil near ocean and palm trees (more on this later). Colares , Carcavelos and Bucelas are all red table wines made from Arinto grapes produced in these areas. The label Bucelas being a blend of Arinto and Ramisco grapes.
Colares: Colares is known throughout Portugal as one of the best sweet wines around due to its taste…its very sweet taste! Made from Arinto grapes grown on sandy soil near ocean and palm trees (see above), Colares has been granted an official designation by Portugal’s government as a “Provincial Heritage” product. This designation was created in order to protect the local tradition behind making Colares by hand-crushings, fermenting them and adding yeast at different times during fermentation process.