Portuguese Wine

Portugal punches well above its weight in the natural wine world. A geography of extreme contrasts, from the Atlantic-cooled Vinho Verde in the north to the granite and schist of the Douro, the sun-baked plains of the Alentejo, and the volcanic terraces of the Azores, combined with an extraordinary wealth of indigenous varieties, gives Portuguese growers some of the most compelling raw material in Europe. Touriga Nacional, Baga, Castelao, Arinto, and Encruzado are names largely unknown outside Portugal, yet they produce wines of real personality.

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Portugal's strength is its native grapes: the country never gave up its indigenous varieties for international ones, so its natural wines taste like nowhere else. In the cool, rainy Minho, Vinho Verde is picked bright and low in alcohol, with a saline snap that makes it one of the great summer whites. The Douro, best known for Port, is now a source of serious dry reds from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and old-vine field blends grown on schist terraces above the river.

Head south and the mood changes. Baga, the firm, ageworthy red of Bairrada, has become a cult grape for natural growers, while the warm Alentejo gives rounder reds and increasingly fresh whites from Antao Vaz and Arinto. Off the mainland, the volcanic islands of the Azores produce mineral, sea-sprayed whites from vines grown inside low stone corrals that shelter them from the wind. Across the country, a young generation is increasingly farming organically, fermenting with wild yeasts, and bottling with minimal sulfur.

For a first taste, a natural Vinho Verde or a light Baga is hard to beat. Douro reds reward a little patience and a hearty meal. Many of these bottles offer remarkable value for the farming and the history behind them. Browse more in our red wine and white wine collections.

Frequently asked questions

When is my order shipping?

We are doing your best to ship your order in 2-3 business days.

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.

Do I have to sign upon delivery?

Yes, someone 21 years or older must sign for the package.

Signature on delivery is mandatory for wine deliveries. Please make sure someone is at the shipping address to sign for the package.

If applicable, please consider delivering the package to a business address to ensure someone is available to sign for the package.

We also have the option of delivering the package to a Carrier's store for pickup. Please reach out to us to coordinate.

Carrier will try to delivery a package up to three times before returning the package to us.

See here our shipping policy.

What if I miss a delivery?

Worry not, we have options, but please read carefully.

If you miss a delivery and a package gets returned to us we have two options:

1) Reship the package right away: due to the very high cost of shipping and returns, we must charge a re-shipping fee to be determined based on package size and shipping destination.

2) Consolidate the returned package with your next order: this option is free of charge and it's the most popular option.

See here our shipping policy.

What makes Portuguese natural wine distinctive?

Portugal kept its native grapes when much of the world planted international varieties, so its wines taste like nowhere else. Combine that with dramatic regional contrasts, from cool Atlantic Vinho Verde to the schist terraces of the Douro, and you get natural wines with a strong sense of origin and often outstanding value.

Is Vinho Verde a natural wine?

Vinho Verde is a region in northwest Portugal, not a single style, and the natural examples we carry are made from organically farmed grapes with wild-yeast fermentation and minimal additions. Expect a bright, low-alcohol white with a light natural spritz and a saline, citrusy snap.

Which grapes will I find in this collection?

For reds, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Baga, and Castelao; for whites, Arinto, Encruzado, Antao Vaz, and the Vinho Verde blends of Loureiro and Alvarinho. Many bottles are old-vine field blends that co-ferment several native varieties grown together in the same vineyard.

What does Baga taste like?

Baga is the firm, high-acid red grape of Bairrada. It gives structured, ageworthy wines with red and black fruit, fresh acidity, and grippy tannin in youth that soften with time. Natural growers have made it something of a cult grape.

What food pairs with Portuguese natural wine?

Vinho Verde is a summer and seafood natural, Douro and Baga reds pair with roast and grilled meats, and the richer Alentejo reds suit stews and hard cheese. Portuguese wine was made for the country's seafood-heavy, olive-oil-rich cooking.

Do you ship Portuguese wine across the United States?

Yes. We ship to 45 states with careful, temperature-conscious packaging. Available options and any state restrictions appear at checkout.