Portuguese Wine

Portuguese Wines from Great Wines Direct

Portuguese wine has long been a staple on supermarket shelves and has also been around for centuries having been introduced to the region by some of the most ancient civilisations like the Greeks, Carthaginians, Phoenicians and Romans.

During the time of the Roman Empire, Portugal had first begun exporting wines to Rome, although the modern wine export industry began in 1703 following the Methuen Treaty.

It was as a result of this treaty and the subsequent wine trade with England that many different varieties of wine began to be cultivated here. Today, there are two UNESCO protected wine producing regions in Portugal – the Pico Island region and the Douro Valley region. There are many local kinds of wines, all with their own distinctive personalities.

For many years, wine has been one of Portugal's most noteworthy exports, and today it is the 7th biggest wine exporter in the world in terms of value.

Its Vinho Verde region is well known and is located in the country's north west area. It took its name from the fact that the grapes used to make wine in this region are green, or under-ripe. Today, wines from this region are the most exported of all Portuguese wines following Port. White wines are most popular, however Portugal also produces some good reds and, occasionally, roses. The Vinho Alvarinho is one especially notable variety with a higher alcohol content which can only be produced under EU law in one small Monaco sub region.

While once thought of as bitter tasting, Douro wines come from the region that is best known for its port wines. However, they are now becoming more popular thanks to their similar traits to the port that is cultivated nearby.

Read

Red 12.5

Quinta Do Crasto Altitude 430 Tinta Francisca and Touriga Nacional 2022 75cl £16.49

Garnet in colour, with an expressive nose of red fruit notes, perfectly balanced by delicate forest and fine spice aromas Easy and approachable from the first sip, the character develops on the palate into a wine of excellent volume and fine texture This embodies all the freshness and elegance that the Tinta Francisca and Touriga Nacional grapes deliver when planted at an altitude of 430 metres, in a vineyard with a north-facing aspect: seductively soft, with restrained alcohol and a fresh, elegant finish

Red 10

Cintila Red, Peninsula de Setubal 2023 75cl £10.07

A juicy, plummy and vanilla wine, soft and easy-drinking

Red 14

Crasto Old Vines Reserva Half Bottle 2022 37.5cl £18.86

Hugely complex, this wine has concentrated aromas and flavours, married to wonderful freshness It is lively and juicy - like biting into a just-ripe cherry that bursts in your mouth - and yet is far from straighforward, with intriguing nuances of spices, Mediterranean herbs, olives and well-integrated oak This is irresistible now - and even better if you decant it first - but if you can, keep some bottles back for 257or even 10 years, as it has both the guts and the balance to gain even more complexity with time

Red 14

Pegoes, 'Vinhas de Pegoes' Touriga Nacional

Santo Isidro de Pegoes, Vinhas de Pegoes, Peninsula de Setubal, Touriga Nacional 2023 75cl £12.92

Pegoes' Vinhas de Pegoes showcases the depth and structure of Portugal's signature Touriga Nacional varietal. This vintage delivers dark fruit intensity, blackberry and plum, with subtle spice and mineral undertones characteristic of the Tejo region. Medium-bodied with refined tannins and good acidity. A compelling expression of terroir-driven winemaking at an approachable price point. A bold and opulent wine with aromas of blueberry, plum and blackberry compote with toasty oak spice leading to a richly flavoured palate with a long finish

White 11

Quinta da Lixa QL Loureiro 2024 75cl £8.46

"Floral, fresh and zingy with fruity notes A well-balanced wine with a delightfully long finish "

Red 20

Barros Colheita Port, Douro 1974 75cl £149.24

Lovely balance between power and finesse with a silky texture and beautifully sustained flavours

White 9.5

Fonte Vinho Verde 25 Aveleda 75cl £9.36

White 10.5

Quinta da Lixa QL Flowers Vinho Verde 2025 75cl £8.92

A lip-smackingly delicious Vinho Verde, with aromas of apple and grapefruit alongside herbal notes The palate is medium-bodied and refreshing, with the classic touch of spritz The Quinta da Lixa is made from some classic grape varieties grown in the Vinho Verde region It has a bright, lemon tinged appearance with aroma that is fruity, with hints of tropical fruits and a flowery character In the mouth, it is well balanced, dry, with a lovely fresh finish ""Bring on the grilled sardines to match to this crisp, fresh beauty"" - Graeme Ewins, Retail Sales

White 12

Vale de Mata White, Lisboa 2024 75cl £18.46

A refreshing white wine from Portugal's Lisboa region, Vale de Mata showcases bright citrus and stone fruit with fine mineral notes and subtle oak spice. The palate is crisp and elegant, finishing with a mouthwatering acidity that makes it supremely food-friendly. Vale de Mata is a family-owned producer crafting elegant wines that reflect the terroir of coastal Portugal, where maritime influence and limestone-rich soils create wines of character and balance.

Red 11

Cintila Red, Peninsula de Setubal 2024 75cl £10.07

Cintila Red hails from Portugal's Península de Setúbal, a region celebrated for bold, characterful reds. This vintage showcases the region's signature depth and structure, delivering ripe dark fruit with subtle spice and earthy undertones. The wine balances power with elegance, making it equally suited to serious food pairing or contemplative sipping. A compelling choice for those seeking authentic Portuguese character without pretension. A juicy, plummy and vanilla wine, soft and easy-drinking

Red 14

Pegoes, Adega de Pegoes Selected Harvest Red, Peninsula de Setubal 2021 75cl £18.20

Pegoes 'Selected Harvest Red' is a carefully curated blend from Portugal's Pegoes estate, which showcases the producer's commitment to quality fruit selection and traditional winemaking. The wine balances ripe dark fruit with subtle structure, delivering approachable complexity without pretension. Ideal for everyday enjoyment or as an introduction to Portuguese reds, it is a reliable choice for those seeking authentic character at a fair price point. A richly flavoured wine with a velvety texture, full of spicy chocolate and herbal savoury flavours

Red 14

Crasto Superior Douro Red 2023 75cl £18.88

Deep purple in colour On the nose the wine shows fresh wild berry fruit that are well integrated with light notes of spice Balanced on the palate, evolving into a wine of great volume, with a compact structure made of velvet-textured tannins The finish is elegant, fresh and lingering

White 10.5

Quinta da Lixa Signus Vinho Verde 2025 75cl £8.92

Red 13

Artolas Vinho Tinto 2024 75cl £9.53

"Bright ruby colour with a mature bouquet Red cherries, plums and spice abound from this medium bodied beauty This would be great with a light mid-week supper or perfect for quaffing at a party If Great Western Wine 'did plonk';Superb quality, value and a great all-rounder! The perfect mid-week wine"" - Patrick Goudge, Private Client Sales "

Red 13.5

Crasto Flor de Crasto Red 2022 75cl £12.22

Bright purple in colour Expressive on the nose, showing fresh wild berry fruit well integrated with elegant floral notes The palate starts out attractive, evolving into a medium-bodied wine, with silky tannins This is a seductive wine, with a balanced, fresh finish

Red 14.5

Crasto Superior Syrah 2023 75cl £25.22

This wine takes its name from the location of the vineyard from which the grapes come: Douro Superior (Upper Douro) The grapes used to make this wine come from our property Quinta da Cabreira where we have 114 hectares of recently planted vines Crasto Superior Syrah shows well-integrated aromas, fresh berry fruit and notes of chocolate Engaging beginning, leading to a wine with great volume and a good structure made of fresh and finely-textured tannins The finish is perfectly balanced and lingering