Sparkling Wines of Portugal

Espumante is not only produced in the northern wet region of Vinho Verde, but also throughout Portugal all the way to the southern region of the Alentejo, known for its extreme temperatures and arid climate.

Bairrada is the oldest espumante-making region and has a good reputation. In Távora-Varosa, south of the Douro, you’ll discover Terras de Cister, where the vines here were first planted by Cistercian monks. The climate in this area is ideal for sparkling wines and is made from the Malvasia Fina and increasingly, the Champagne grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Vinho Verde added fully sparkling wines to its regulations just in time for the Millennium. Portuguese sparkling wine is perfect to pair with fish and seafood.

On each label you will find the name of the winery, the grapes varietal, the grapes region, the year the wine was made and the quality classification.

CVR: wines produced in a specific region from which at least 85% of the grapes were used;

VEQPRD: sparkling wine from a demarcated region

DOC (or DOP): DOC stands for Denominação de Origem Controlada and means the wine comes from a strictly defined geographical area with recommended and permitted grapes and maximum vine yields.

Vinho Regional (or IGP): Portugal is divided into 14 regional wine areas rules for controlling which types of grapes are used as well as maximum vine yields are not as strict.

Vinho (Wine): Portuguese table wine.