Unit 10 of 26 · Online wine course

Portuguese Wine Course

Port, the Douro, Vinho Verde and Madeira. 8 lessons · about 62 min

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The 8 lessons

  1. Portugal at a glance: native grapes and fortified wine

    Why Portugal is a treasure chest of native grapes and blends, how the Atlantic and mountains shape it, and where Port and Madeira come from.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why Portugal's native grapes and field blends stand out
    • describe how the Atlantic and mountains shape Portugal's climate
    • name Portugal's two famous fortified wines and their homes
    about 7 min

  2. The grapes of Portugal: native stars and blends

    Portugal's native grapes are often blended, but a few stars lead: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Baga and four key whites.

    You will be able to:

    • name Portugal's key red and white grapes
    • explain field blends versus block planting
    • match Portuguese grapes to the regions they define
    about 8 min

  3. The Douro: Port and its table wines

    How a steep, hot valley of schist terraces became one of wine's first protected regions, and how its grapes make both sweet Port and powerful dry reds.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why the Douro was mapped and protected in 1756
    • describe when Port's spirit goes in and why
    • tell Port's four styles and Douro reds apart
    about 8 min

  4. Vinho Verde: fresh wines from the green north

    Vinho Verde means green wine, usually read as young and fresh: a light, crisp white from Portugal's rainy north, with Alvarinho from Monção e Melgaço at the top.

    You will be able to:

    • explain what "green" means in Vinho Verde
    • tell Alvarinho and Loureiro apart by their clues
    • place top Alvarinho and climb the price ladder
    about 8 min

  5. Dão and Bairrada: Portugal's elegant centre

    Two neighbours in central Portugal: Dão's mountain-sheltered Touriga Nacional and Encruzado, and Bairrada's age-worthy Baga and traditional-method sparkling wine.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why Dão's reds taste fresh and elegant
    • describe Baga and why Bairrada's reds can age
    • name the key grapes and bubbles of both regions
    about 8 min

  6. The Alentejo, the south and Madeira

    Southern Portugal gives you sun-ripened, easy Alentejo reds, a sweet Muscat from Setúbal, and Madeira, a fortified wine that is heated on purpose.

    You will be able to:

    • describe the ripe, soft style of Alentejo reds
    • explain how Setúbal's Muscat and Madeira are made
    • name Madeira's classic styles from driest to sweetest
    about 8 min

  7. Reading a Portuguese label: tiers and key words

    A Portuguese label shows how protected the place is, and words like Reserva and Garrafeira promise minimums: learn the three tiers and the key words, Port included.

    You will be able to:

    • name Portugal's three tiers, from DOC to plain Vinho
    • read Reserva, Grande Reserva and Garrafeira as minimums
    • decode a Portuguese label, Port included, line by line
    about 8 min

  8. Portugal: Port, the Douro and Vinho Verde

    A buyer's and diner's tour of Portugal: white Port before dinner, Vinho Verde with fish, good-value reds, the right Port for dessert, and how long it keeps.

    You will be able to:

    • choose a Portuguese wine for each moment of a meal
    • pick a Port style to suit the occasion
    • explain how long each opened Port keeps
    about 7 min

Related reading on Winelingo: Wine of Portugal