Portuguese White Wines

Portugal's geographic and political isolation from the world for much of the 20th century, left it as a viticultural 'island' with a treasure trove of indigenous varieties often unheard of outside the country. Viticultural studies, completed since Portugal joined the EU in1986, identify the most promising white varieties as being: Louriero, Encruzado and Bical, with Cerceal, Codega and Rabigato also showing promise with winemakers.

Loureiro: Once known as Dourada (golden) owing to the yellow hue of its berries. Nervous, floral, and when well made can age very well.

Bical: At home in Bairrada, Dão and Beiras. Can make wonderfully scented peachy, textured wines with crisp finishing acidity.

Cerceal: While characterised by its high quality, delicate aroma and good acidity, Cerceal as a monovarietal wine it can be unbalanced. To counter this it is usually blended with other indigenous white varieties.

Codega: The most-planted white in the Douro. Yields well and produces a naturally soft, low acid fruit.

Rabigato: The 'cat's tail'; home in the Douro. Has elongated bunches, hence the name, and has good acidity at higher altitudes.