THE ALENTEJO WINE
The Alentejo wines have gradually become some of the best in Portugal and they have gradually received international recognition over the years.
The high number of sunny days per year and the temperature in Alentejo are the perfect ingredients for the ripeness of the grapes. The climate in Alentejo is clearly mediterranean, yet with areas of continental microclimate. Average temperatures per year are around 16ºC but there are wide temperature ranges, with cold winters and very hot and dry summers. Average rainfall varies between 500 and 800mm.
The label DOC Alentejo (Denominação de Origem Controlada = Controlled Designation of Origin), includes 8 subregions: Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Vidigueira, Reguengos, Moura, Évora and Granja/Amareleja.
Around the city of Portalegre and over towards the Spanish border the high mountain region has a much cooler climate than the rest of the Alentejo, and the potential to make more elegant wines. The central Alentejo, wide, rolling country around the towns of Évora, Borba, Reguengos and Estremoz, is hotter, and makes wines with a good balance of acidity. Even further south, in the bakingly-hot country around Beja, winemakers are producing some excellent wines. Soils vary hugely, from granite and schist to chalk.
Main red grapes (variable according to sub-region): Aragonez, Trincadeira, Castelão, Alfrocheiro and Alicante Bouschet.
Main white grapes (variable according to sub-region): Arinto, Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Fernão Pires, Perrum.
