Portuguese wine

Portuguese wine was mostly introduced by the Romans and other ancient Mediterranean peoples who traded with local coastal populations, mainly in the South.

In pre-Roman Gallaecia-Lusitania times, the native peoples only drank beer and were unfamiliar with wine production.

[citation needed] In southern Iberian Peninsula, some archeological finds attest that the consumption of wine occurred around the 7th to the 6th century B.C.

[1] Romans did much to expand and promote viticulture in their settlements in the province of Lusitania, most especially Portuguese Estremadura and the south of Portugal.

[2][3] During the Reconquista in the 12th and 13th centuries, with the populating (povoamento) of the conquered territories, areas due to religion the Arabs reduced wine production.

[citation needed] Portugal has a large array of native varietals, producing an abundant variety of different wines.

The quality and great variety of wines in Portugal are due to noble castas, microclimates, soils and proper technology.

[citation needed] Official designations: Vinho Verde derived its name from the fact that the grapes used are 'green' meaning slightly under-ripe.

The traditional rabelo boat , used to transport Port Wine from the Douro Valley to the cellars near the city of Porto .
"cupa" , Roman tombstones in the shape of wine barrels, were used in the 3rd century AD in Alentejo , Museu de Évora
Vineyards in Vinho Verde Demarcated Region in Minho , Portugal
A glass of tawny port
Port wine cellar
A colheita vintage tawny Port.