Portugal is one of the world's oldest wine producers. Grapes are thought to have arrived in the country's Tagus Valley around 2000BC with the Tartessians, and wine cultivation itself is believed to have come a little later with the Greeks in the 7th century BC. Winemaking really started to thrive in the Roman era, when Western Iberia became a key supplier to the empire. Even during the Moorish occupation with the ban demanded by the Koran, it is recorded that wine was being made at the Monastery of Lourvao.
Winemaking came back to life with the formation of the kingdom of Portugal at the end of the 12th century and the beginning of it's trading links with the UK when the first shipments of Vinho Verde (both red and white) arrived. In 1353 Portugal signed a treaty allowing Portuguese fishermen to fish off the English coast and thus further encouraging Portuguese wine trade. A later record shows that in 1365 the Mayor of Dartmouth found himself in trouble for seizing a shipment of sweet wine named 'Osey and Algarve'. The trade in wine became so intense that a British vice consul was appointed to represent British interests.
In 1703 this trade increased even further due to the Treaty of Methuen granting Portuguese wines preference over French for importation into England. During this time the wine which has became most synonimous with Portugal grew in popularity - Port. However, it's important to to remember that in its original incarnation, the Douro's finest was a dry red wine ; the method of fortifying during fermentation wasn't discovered and developed until the late 17th century. In 1758 Portugal became the first country to introduce an appelation system when the Douro was officially demarcated.
During the Peninsular Wars of the early 1800's the Duke of Wellington and his armies defended Portugal from Napoleon. During the campaign he stayed in many of the fine Quinta's and many now claim to have been his 'official residence'. It is however recorded that he set up his headquarters at the Quinta da Romeira in the Estremadura area and fell in love with the Bucelas wine made there. He shipped it home and called it Lisbon. (We have 4 wines from the Quinta de Romeira on our list so you can live like a Duke!)
The past 20 years have seen huge changes with major investments in equipment and experience. This has resulted in the emergence of a new wave of wine makers who are continuing the great heritage of wine making in Portugal.
