Beiras

Region in northern Portugal, consisting of three sections: Beira Alta, Beira Baxa and Beira Litoral. The area is also classified as Vinho Regional (VR), and stretches from the border with Spain in the East to the Atlantic coast in the west. Viticulture has a long tradition here, with Benedictine and Cistercian monks involved in wine production in their many abbies here in the early Middle Ages. The following classified areas are located within this large region: Bairrada (DOC), Beira Interior (DOC), Dão (DOC), Encostas da Aire (IPR, a small part of this is in the Estremadura region), Lafões (IPR) and Távora-Varosa (DOC). Almost exclusively indigenous varieties are planted. White wines account for a large share of the production, many used as base wines for the production of sparkling wines. Caves Murganheira, the oldest and largest sparkling wine producer in Portugal, is located in Taoruca. Other well-known producers include Entre Serras and Quinta da Foz do Arouce.