Origins of Wine in Portugal

• Origins: Winegrowing in what is now Portugal dates back to before Roman times. The Phoenicians and other Mediterranean peoples brought grapes and winemaking techniques to the Iberian Peninsula; the Romans subsequently expanded cultivation considerably, particularly in regions such as the Douro, the Tejo and the Alentejo.
• The Middle Ages and trade: After the Roman period, winegrowing continued, with monasteries helping to preserve it. From the seventeenth century onwards, exports received a major boost from trade with England. Port from the Douro in particular, and later Madeira, developed into internationally renowned styles of wine.
• Setbacks: In the nineteenth century, Portuguese vineyards were severely affected by mildew and the grape phylloxera epidemic (Phylloxera). Many plots had to be replanted, usually with European grape varieties grafted onto resistant American rootstocks.
• Modern era: During the twentieth century, the sector became more closely regulated and modernised. Since the 1980s, there has been a marked increase in the focus on high-quality dry wines. Today, Portugal is distinguished by its regional designations of origin and an exceptionally rich variety of indigenous grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Baga, Arinto and Alvarinho.