Estremadura

In terms of wine production, this is the largest wine-growing region in Portugal. It has a total vineyard area of 60.000 hectares, and stretches north from Lisbon as far as the town of Leiria; it is sometimes also called Oeste (the West). It includes the following regions: Alcobaca (IPR), Alenquer (DOC), Arruda (DOC), Bucelas (DOC), Carcavelos (DOC), Cartaxo (DOC – part of this in the Ribatejo region), Encostas de Aire (IPR – part of this in the Beiras region), Lourinhã (DOC), Òbidos (DOC) and Torres Vedras (DOC). The entire region is also classified for Vinho Regional (VR). This was an important wine exporting region in the 19th century. Large quantities of bulk wine was sold in barrel to France, to be used, for instance, to add extract and colour to Bordeaux wines. However, most of the wine was made as simple table wine for domestic consumption. Even today, much of the wine is made by huge co-operatives, and sold in bulk. The proximity to the ocean provides cool nights in autumn and a generally very even temperate climate, providing good conditions for the production of white wines, which make up the bulk of production. In addition to a large number of indigenous varieties, international varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are rapidly gaining favour.