Hot, hotter, Alentejo – that’s one way to describe the Portuguese region in the southeast of the country, which makes up about a third of Portugal. Although Alentejo is Portugal’s largest province, the region is sparsely populated. Only 5 percent of the population calls it home, probably due to the unbearable heat that prevails there, especially during the summer months.
Agriculture is highly valued in Alentejo. In addition to 20,632 hectares of vineyards, there are also many olive groves, grain fields, and cork oak forests. Although wines from Alentejo only gained popularity and recognition in recent years, viticulture in Alentejo is truly ancient and can be traced back to the time before the Romans.
Viticulture – an ancient tradition in Alentejo
The Tartessos are said to have planted the first vineyards in Alentejo even before the Phoenicians and set wine production in motion. The history of viticulture in Alentejo has been marked by ups and downs.
Under Moorish rule and the increased cultivation of wheat, viticulture was greatly displaced. Because of the 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 viticulture, Alentejo indirectly participated in the world of wine through cork. More than half of the world’s cork production takes place in Portugal, and the largest cork yields come from the impressive cork oak forests here in Alentejo. The trees can also be found scattered throughout the wheat fields.
Here you can find more information about the function of cork.
In 1974 and 1975, a military-led revolution took place in southern Portugal, overthrowing Lisbon’s establishment. Large cork estates were occupied by workers and merged into cooperatives in the hope that things would soon improve.
Unfortunately, the plan did not work out: the cooperatives failed to manage well, which left them short of capital. As a result, they began harvesting the cork oak bark before it was ready, and vineyards were also pushed to their maximum yields. The result was poor quality in both areas.
Water for the revival of wine
But in the 1980s, wine in Alentejo gained momentum again. This was partly due to the sharp decline in wheat prices, which once again made room on the market for grape products. It was also due to the lifting of the ban on artificial irrigation, which gave the green light to viticulture.
Alentejo is also known as the “California of Portugal” because of the persistent heat during the summer months. Last year (2017), for example, not a drop of rain fell on the land between March and October, which unfortunately has become a regular occurrence in recent years due to climate change. Alentejo suffers from dryness and drought. For professional viticulture, heat is not a temporary condition, so the green light for artificial irrigation at the end of the 1980s came at exactly the right time.
An incredible 60 liters of water per plant per week must be provided by artificial irrigation, which is a huge undertaking. Some winemakers therefore create small lakes that are filled in winter so that they can access water reserves in summer.
The lifesaver for plants, animals, and people in Alentejo is the man-made Alqueva reservoir. It is 85 km long and thus the largest man-made reservoir in Europe.
The wine subregions in Alentejo
Even before the revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, wine regions had formed in the towns of Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Granja, and Vidigueira. State-subsidized cooperative wineries were built there, which initially produced conventional wine for the local market.
This changed with Portugal’s accession to the European Union. Investments in expanding wineries and wineries, as well as in modern machinery, made it possible to produce quality wines, even from old vines.
Some old wineries still vinify their wine very traditionally in huge clay jars. But there are also fresh, new wineries that rely on modern methods. It is the combination of both that gives wine from Alentejo its special charm.
Although a great deal of land in Alentejo is available for viticulture, only a small part is actually planted with vineyards. “Small part” is relative here, however, because almost all wine-growing areas in Alentejo contain vast tracts of land. For example, local farmers do not consider a 100-hectare winery to be large.
Most wineries in Alentejo are mixed farms. This means that tomatoes, sunflowers, olive trees, and other crops are also grown here to a large extent. However, wine always takes center stage because it is more profitable.
Alentejo D.O.C. – the highest wine quality
Wines with the Alentejo D.O.C. designation are wines of the highest quality and may only be produced within the defined areas. For this purpose, the Alentejo region was divided into eight different subregions to regulate it more effectively.
Six of these areas, namely Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Granja-Ameleja and Vidigueira, had already existed since the 1960s. Two new ones, Évora and Moura, were added since then.
But not only DOC wines are produced in Alentejo, but also a whole range of Vinho Regional Alentejo, because not all wine-growing areas in Alentejo are located in the regions mentioned above.
The significantly more flexible regulations of the VR wine category also speak for the growing number of VR wines. The scope for experimentation is much greater, and international grape varieties such as the popular Syrah are also permitted under the Vinho Regional designation.
In this article you can find more information about the different wine categories in Portugal.
The main grape varieties of Alentejo
The grape varieties vary depending on the subregion and its own microclimate. The red wines are characterized by their fruit and elegance, are full-bodied, and have a lot of body. The most important red grape varieties are:
- Aragonez
- Trincadeira
- Moreto
- Tinta Roriz
- Castelão
- Alfrocheiro
- Alicante Bouschet
White wines were absent from Alentejo for a long time, but they are now also enjoying great popularity. They are soft and easy to drink. The following main white grape varieties have established themselves:
- Arinto
- Antão Vaz
- Roupeiro
- Fernão Pires
- Perrum
More details about the Portuguese grape varieties as well as their different qualities can be found in this article.
In addition to wine, cork, and bread, Alentejo is famous for excellent beef and, above all, for what is probably the best and most aromatic ham in the world. It comes from the famous black Iberian pigs that live in the cork oak forests and fatten themselves on acorns. Appropriately, they bear the name “Porco à Alentejano.”
Alentejo’s sustainability program
Alentejo has its own sustainability program for wine, which almost all large estates belong to. It is intended to find methods to save water, reduce pesticide use in wine production, and replace energy-intensive equipment.
What at first glance seems to be the problem with artificial irrigation is actually hidden in wine bottle production. The energy and material costs of 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 is not necessary for the quality of the wine. If the weight were reduced by just 300 grams, a lot could be saved with 100,000 bottles sold.
About the author
Inara Muradowa is an SEO expert and corporate blogger. In addition to technical search engine optimization and SEO consulting, she actively supports companies with the planning and writing of professional blog posts.
