Hot, hotter, Alentejo – this is more or less how you could describe the Portuguese region located in the southeast of the country and making up about one-third of Portugal. Although Alentejo is Portugal's largest province, the region is sparsely populated. Only 5 percent of the population lives here, which is likely due to the unbearable heat that prevails there, especially in the summer months.
Agriculture is a top priority in the Alentejo. In addition to 20,632 hectares of vineyards, there are also numerous olive groves, grain fields, and cork oak forests. Although Alentejo wines have only gained popularity and potential in recent years, viticulture in the Alentejo is truly ancient, dating back to pre-Roman times.
Winemaking – an old tradition in the Alentejo
It is said that the Tartesi were the first to plant vineyards in the Alentejo, even before the Phoenicians, and to get wine production going. The history of winemaking in the Alentejo is marked by ups and downs.
Under Moorish rule and the increased cultivation of wheat, viticulture was largely displaced. Due to its many wheat fields, the region was known for a time as the "Land of Bread."
Cork – an important part of wine culture
Even during the decline of wine production, the Alentejo participated indirectly in the world of wine, namely through cork. More than half of the world's cork production comes from Portugal, and the largest cork yields are found here, in the Alentejo, in the impressive cork oak forests. The trees can also be found occasionally in the wheat fields.
Here you can find more information about the function of the cork .
In 1974 and 1975, the military-led revolution in southern Portugal overthrew Lisbon's establishment. Large cork estates were occupied by workers and organized into cooperatives, hoping that things would soon improve.
Unfortunately, the plan didn't work: the cooperatives were unable to manage their operations effectively, resulting in a lack of capital. They resorted to harvesting cork oak bark ahead of schedule, and the vineyards were also pushed to maximum yields. The result was poor quality in both areas.
With water to boost the wine
But in the 1980s, wine in the Alentejo regained its momentum. This was due, on the one hand, to the significant decline in wheat prices, which made room for grape products on the market. On the other hand, the ban on artificial irrigation was lifted, giving viticulture a green light.
Alentejo is also called the "California of Portugal" due to the persistent heat during the summer months. Last year (2017), not a drop of rain fell between March and October, something that has unfortunately become the norm in recent years due to climate change. The Alentejo is experiencing dryness and drought. The heat is not conducive to professional viticulture, so the introduction of artificial irrigation in the late 1980s came at just the right time.
Artificial irrigation requires an incredible 60 liters of water per plant per week, which is a tremendous effort. Therefore, some winemakers create small lakes that are filled in the winter to access the water reserves in the summer.
The lifesaver for plants, animals, and people in the Alentejo is the artificial Alqueva Reservoir. It is 85 km long, making it the largest artificial reservoir in Europe.
The wine subregions in the Alentejo
Even before the revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, wine-growing regions emerged in the towns of Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Granja, and Vidigueira. State-supported cooperative wineries were built there, initially producing traditional wine for the local market.
This changed with Portugal's accession to the European Union. Investments in the expansion of vineyards and wineries, as well as in modern machinery, made it possible to produce quality wines, even from old vines.
Some old wineries still make their wine in the traditional way, using huge clay jars. But there are also fresh, new wineries that rely on modern methods. It's a combination of both that gives Alentejo wine its special charm.
Although there is a great deal of land available for viticulture in the Alentejo, only a small portion is actually occupied by vineyards. "Small portion" is a relative term, however, as almost all wine-growing regions in the Alentejo are home to vast areas. Thus, a 100-hectare vineyard is not considered large by local growers.
Most wineries in the Alentejo are mixed farms. This means that tomatoes, sunflowers, olive trees, and other agricultural products are also cultivated to a large extent. However, wine always remains the primary focus, as it is more profitable.
Alentejo DOC – highest wine quality
Wines bearing the Alentejo DOC designation are of the highest quality and may only be produced within designated areas. For this purpose, the Alentejo region was divided into eight different sub-regions for better regulation.
Six of these areas, namely Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Granja-Amareleja , and Vidigueira, had existed since the 1960s. Two new ones, Évora and Moura, have been added since then.
However, not only DOC wines are produced in the Alentejo, but also a whole range of Vinho Regional Alentejo, because not all wine regions in Alentejo are located in the regions mentioned above.
The significantly more flexible regulations of the VR wine category also support the growing number of VR wines. There's much greater scope for experimentation, and international grape varieties such as the popular Syrah are also permitted within the Vinho Regional category.
In this article you will find more information about the different wine categories in Portugal .
The main grape varieties of the Alentejo
The grape varieties vary depending on the subregion and its microclimate. The red wines are characterized by their fruitiness and elegance, and are powerful and full-bodied. The most important red grape varieties are:
- Aragonez
- Trincadeira
- Moreto
- Tinta Roriz
- Castelão
- Alfrocheiro
- Alicante Bouschet
White wines were long absent from the Alentejo, but now they are enjoying great popularity. They are soft and easy to drink. Among the white wines, the following main grape varieties have established themselves:
- Arinto
- Antão Vaz
- Roupeiro
- Fernão Pires
- Perrum
You can find out more about Portuguese grape varieties and their different qualities in this article.
In addition to wine, cork, and bread, the Alentejo is famous for its excellent beef and, above all, for what is arguably the best and most aromatic ham in the world. This comes from the famous black Ibérico pigs that live in the cork oak forests and feed on acorns. Fittingly, they are called "Porco à Alentejano."
Sustainable Alentejo
Sustainability is a top priority in the Alentejo, even if the enormous water consumption doesn't initially suggest this. A sustainability program for wine, which is being implemented in the region and to which almost all large wineries already belong, has set itself the task of finding methods to conserve water, eliminate the use of pesticides in wine production, and replace other energy-guzzling substances.
What at first glance appears to be artificial irrigation is actually hidden in wine bottle production. The energy and material costs involved in producing wine bottles appear to be excessive.
And indeed, high-quality wine is often sold in larger, heavier bottles, with a capacity of 1 to 1.5 liters. However, this isn't necessarily a factor in the quality of the wine. Reducing the weight by just 300 grams could result in significant savings over the course of 100,000 bottles sold.
About the author
Inara Muradova is an SEO expert and corporate blogger. In addition to technical search engine optimization and SEO consulting, she actively supports companies with the conception and writing of professional blog posts.
