Beira Atlântico is a wine region in Portugal.
Beira Atlântico is a wine region in Portugal. It is located in the district of Beira Norte, encompassing de Portuguesa, Gerês, Estremadura and Alentejo. The region is known for its dry red wines made from white grapes such as Mourvèdre and Tempranillo. Examples include the dry white Martorana and the semi-dry red Pardinho (which are listed in parentheses).
Beira Atlântico is located in the north of Portugal and run along the country’s Atlantic coast from the Spanish border to the Tagus River estuary.
Beira Atlântico is located in the north of Portugal and run along the country’s Atlantic coast from the Spanish border to the Tagus River estuary. The border with Spain runs along the Douro river, which flows along the valley that gives its name to one of Portugal’s most famous wine regions. To the south, Beira Atlântico ends at the Tagus river as it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The region has a north-south orientation, meaning its front faces down towards Lisbon and beyond and its back is turned against Spain. Beira Atlântico covers about 13% of Portugal’s surface area, making it approximately 500 km long.
Bairrada is one of two DOCs within the Beira Atlântico region, the other being Dão.
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The Bairrada region is medieval in origin, producing wines for all eight centuries of its existence.
Now, before you get the wrong idea and think that there are only three types of wine produced in Portugal – white, red, and sparkling – I should clarify that there are actually eight. The Bairrada region was the first to produce them all.
It’s said that the area is also where port wine got its name—which comes from a town named Porto de Mós. The region has existed since medieval times—you’ll find evidence of it in documents from as far back as the 12th century. Through history it has been associated with viticulture, producing wines for all eight centuries of its existence.
Bairrada produces mainly red wines, but has a handful of white wines as well. Red wines dominate the area’s viticulture, accounting for roughly 70% of plantings.
Portugal is well known for its world-class red wines, but there are other wines worth checking out. Bairrada is a region in the northwest of Portugal that produces red wine grapes like Baga, Bical and Maria Gomes in addition to white grapes like Rufete, Baga and Maria Gomes. These varieties make excellent sparkling wine and port. The region’s other white grape variety is the classic Alvarinho, which is used to make both dry rosé wines and white sparkling ports. Portuguese whites have become world famous over the past couple decades as consumers have come to appreciate their clean fruit flavors, notably from regions like Douro, Alentejo and Beiras Atlântico (Bairrada).
Baga and Bical are two native grape varieties grown there. They are used in the production of red, white and rosé wines.
This wine region is located in the centre of Portugal, with the Atlantic coast on one side and a mountain range called Serra do Buçaco on the other. The main grape varieties for red wines include Baga, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela and Alfrocheiro. For white wines, Bical and Arinto are the most promising grapes. This is a small wine region with only about 700 hectares (1,730 acres) under vine. In less than 20 years it has seen an increase from 50 wineries to more than 300 today (and 80% of them have fewer than 5 hectares).
Several other grapes are also authorized for production in this DOC, including Arinto, Cerceal Branco, Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Maria Gomes (Periquita), Rabo de Ovelha and Rufete (Tinta Pinheira). Other Portuguese grapes include Tinta Miúda and Touriga Nacional.
Baga and Bical are two native grape varieties grown in the Beira Atlântico wine region. Baga is used in the production of red wines and Bical in the production of white wines. Both are planted widely across this DOC, including in its southern sub-region: Lafões DOP.
Several other grapes are also authorized for production in this DOC, including Arinto, Cerceal Branco, Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Maria Gomes (Periquita), Rabo de Ovelha and Rufete (Tinta Pinheira). Other Portuguese grapes include Tinta Miúda and Touriga Nacional.
Section: European vines such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also authorized for production under DOC regulations but these varieties are rarely seen in practice.
“We have been in the business of making wine for several thousands of years, and we are convinced that our vines are the best in Portugal. We have a very special vineyard that is unique to us: it’s on higher ground, and because it’s not a hot region, we can work with Merlot grapes.”
- The Beira Atlântico region has had DOC designation since 1975, but is one of the least utilized in Portugal. With much lower yields than most wines produced here, there isn’t much incentive to cultivate a new grape variety or even to make wine with certain grapes. So although Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot are all allowed under the laws set down by DOC regulations, they’re rarely seen in practice.
- Grapes used locally are French varieties mostly found elsewhere as well: Clairette blanche (white Clairette), white Moscatel and sweet Alvarinho – which is often blended with other Italian varieties like Vermentino – along with native red varieties like Touriga Nacional (Tawny Port), Tinta Amarela (Yellow Tint) and Tinto Cão (Dog Red).