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1-20 DOC- Description of the demarcated area

20-45 IPR Description of official region

1. Vinhos Verdes
2. Porto and Douro
3. Dao
4. Bairrada
5. Bucelas
6. Colares
7. Carcavelos
8. Setubal
9. Borba
10. Portalegre
11. Redondo
12. Reguengos
13. Vidiguira
14. Lagoa
15. Lagos
16. Portimao
17. Tavira
18. Madeira
19. Lourinha
20. Chaves
21. Planalto Mirandes
22. Valpacos
23. Encosta da Nave
24. Varosa
25. Lafoes
26. Castelo Rodrigo
27. Cova da Berira
28. Pinhel
29. Almerim
30. Coruche
31. Cartaxo
32. Chamusca
33. Santarem
34. Tomar
35. Alcobaca
36. Encostas deAire
37. Obidos
38. Alenquer
39. Arruda
40. Torres Vedras
41. Arribida
42. Palmela
43. Granja Amareieja
44. Evora
45. Moura

Portugal is well known for its wines, and in recent decades , since joining the EU in 1986, there has been a marked improvement in winemaking, so that the results will satisfy any connoisseur. Each regiao demarcada or demarcated wine region is designated by law and guarantees the quality, character and type of wine of each particular region. The first region to be demarcated was the Douro in the reign of King Jose (1750-1770).

The wine region that is local to our area is Dao, which traditionally produces great wines, went through a bad patch but today has made an enormous comeback and has excellent wines. Quinta dos Roques, Casa de Santar and some of the Sogrape wines, among others are worth buying. The Bairrada region north of Coimbra is a region that produces wines of differing quality, from very good to average. One of the top names is Luis Pato, whose wines are very high quality, but other wine growers have made an enormous effort to improve their wines.

The Vinho Verde region, due to its soil and climate, produces unique wines whose accentuated tannins and sharp freshness distinguish them from any other wine. Vinho verdes means literally green wines are produced in the Minho and Douro Litoral The term vinho verd has nothing to do with the colour or ripeness of the grapes; they are young wines with a fresh and fruity aroma but with a marked tartness about them. The Alvarinho grape variety from Moncao and Melgaco produces one of Portugal's best vinho verdes.