The story of Portuguese Wine
The tale of Portuguese wine doesn’t start in a vineyard—it begins with seafaring traders and conflicting tribes. From ancient Phoenician merchants to the oak-aged elegance of today’s finest bottles, Portugal’s winemaking history is steeped in culture.
Ancient Roots: Wine’s First Footprint in Iberia
Around the 10th century BC, it is understood the Phoenicians brought early vine cuttings to what would become Portugal, planting the seeds (literally) for viticulture in Lusitânia.
Fast forward a few centuries, and the Greeks arrived during the 7th century BC brining their flair for the fine art of winemaking. Not long after, the Celts invaded, bringing their own grape varieties and the ability to produce wooden barrels which transformed wine making and transportation.
In the last two centuries BC the Romans also joined the party and brought with them expertise on vitivulture, pruning techniques and a demand for wine back in Rome, so the export of wines in the region boomed.
What followed next was the dissolution of the Roman Empire, the surge in Christianity (for which wine was required for Communion) and the establishment of Islam.
When the Moors arrived in the early 8th century, Islamic law technically forbade wine, however they allowed Christians to continue cultivating vines, so long as they worked the land.
By the 12th and 13th centuries, wine was Portugal’s biggest export. And with the foundation of the country in 1143 by D. Afonso Henriques, religious and monastic orders—like the Templars and Cistercians—played a huge role in expanding vineyards and improving techniques.
The Age of Discoveries: Wine Sets Sail
Come the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese ships were exploring the world with plentiful barrels and something magical happened during those long sea voyages. The wines aged beautifully at sea, thanks to the warmth below deck and constant movement. This formed the basis for Madeira wine, and the methods used to produce it are still replicated today by a variety of methods.
By the 17th century, wine regions were gaining fame and recognition, helped by trade agreements like the Methuen Treaty of 1703, which gave Portuguese wines favourable access to the English market. Demand skyrocketed—especially for Port.
But success brought its own problems. The rush to export more Port led to falling quality. Enter Marquês de Pombal, who cracked down with the creation of the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro in 1756. His bold move officially demarcated the Douro Valley—making it arguably the world’s first wine appellation.
Crisis and Comeback: Phylloxera and the 20th Century Revival
The 19th century brought disaster—Phylloxera, a tiny root-eating pest, devastated most of Europe's vineyards and in Portugal starting in the Douro in 1865. But the nation fought back. By 1907, regions like Madeira, Dão, and Vinho Verde were receiving official recognition and protection.
Today, Portugal boasts 33 Designations of Origin and 8 Geographical Indications, each preserving the unique identity and terroir of their regions.
From bold reds in the Douro to crisp Vinho Verde, from fortified treasures like Port and Madeira to sun-kissed wines of the Alentejo—Portuguese wine has truly come of age.
So next time you swirl a glass of Portuguese wine, know you’re sipping on a tale that’s been fermenting for over 3,000 years. Here’s to the warriors, monks, merchants and winemakers who made it possible—cheers!