Portugal ranks as the world’s 11th largest producer of wine; the country is 1st in the world in per capita consumption.
Although its fame in the world of wine rests squarely on the shoulders of two great fortified wines, the country is rapidly developing an arsenal of modern table wines, sourced from a diverse array of over 200 unique native varieties. Worldwide decline in the sales (and interest) of fortified wines has prompted Portuguese producers to look beyond Port and Madeira in an effort to compete, but years of geographical and—until the last decades of the 20th century—political isolation have left an inscrutable, perplexing vineyard terrain. Rather than adopt the same international varieties that characterize newer winemaking regions worldwide, Portuguese producers instead look to their own bounty of grapes and traditions. New research continues to identify the best indigenous varieties and clonal selections for quality table wines, and technological advancements in the winery allow Portugal’s table wines to overcome past criticisms of rapid oxidation and rusticity.
The history of wine in Portugal closely parallels that of its Iberian neighbor Spain through the Age of Exploration. Wine in Portugal predates the Phoenicians, Greeks, Celts, and Romans, each of whom arrived in turn prior to the Common Era. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the ensuing Germanic and Moorish conquests of the region frustrated—but did not eradicate—viticulture. Portugal expelled the Moors and affirmed its national identity by 1250, over two centuries before Spain would conclude
Hey Alexey! The link is all fixed.
Further information on wines of Madeira "click here" hyperlink is broken. Page Not Found
Would it be possible to ask for a higher resolution picture of the Northern Portugal region map
Assuming there is no typo, the easy answer is that while Pico is a DOP in the Açores, Pisco is not. And, evidently, as a spirit, Pisco would not be eligible for PDO/DOP status within the EU regulatory framework, according to this explanatory overview on the European Commission website. My understanding is that, based on a 2012 agreement between Peru and the European Union, Pisco from Peru enjoys GI status (Geographical indication of spirit drinks and aromatised wines) while that from Chile does not (though a 2002 agreement between Chile and the European Union includes Pisco on the ‘List of protected designations for spirit drinks originating in Chile’, that apparently does not translate into recognized status within the EU’s formal geographical indication system). Open and eager to hear from those who are better informed. Fascinating stuff!
Are comments to the Review Quizzes allowed in this section? If so, there is a review question asking "Which DOP of Acores is not authorized to produce fortified wines" and the supplied answer options are A. Pisco DOP B. Biscoitos DOP C. Graciosa DOP According to the Compendium and Study Guide, all three DOPs are authorized to produce fortified wines.