Portugal's Headway

Charting an era of progress for the country’s dry table wines

The hillside vineyards of Quinto do Crasto on the banks of the Douro River.
Rising sharply above the Douro River, the hillside vineyards of Quinto do Crasto, once sourced only for Port, now yield some of Portugal’s top dry reds.

Portugal lies at the westernmost edge of the European continent. Occupying a corner of the Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic coast, this diverse country offers a range of beautiful panoramas and a rich cultural heritage, including its significant role in the larger world of wine, both for its fortified Ports and its cork closures. Yet it is only recently that fans of dry wines—along with international travelers—have begun to embrace this flourishing country. Read senior editor Alison Napjus' tasting report for top bottles and good values from the Douro, Alentejo, Vinho Verde and beyond, including wines from Prats & Symington, Wine & Soul, Quinta do Noval, Ramos-Pinto and more.

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