Portugal red wines are shaking off its old fashioned attitudes. Portugal has rediscovered its greatest treasure - a range of exciting grape varieties, to prove that it can produce more than the world's top fortified wines. Just as Spain has its premium red wine in Vega sicilia, Portugal has Barca Velha, launched in 1950s by the port house of Ferreira.

It is a complex, subtly spicy red made only in the best vintages and given long cask ageing - a profound and inspired wine. Notable successes have been achieved with blends of International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon,but the non - traditional grapes are not allowed DOC status, the wines taking the regional designation, Terras Durienses.

There has been a slight tendency to the over enthusiastic use of oak from some producers, but better balance is now emerging across the board. Reds can be sumptuously deep, herb - and - spice scented beauties.

Reds

Porto/Douro - Red castas Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Aragonez, Bastardo, Castelão, Cornifesto, Donzelinho Tinto,

Malvasia Preta, Marufo, Rufete, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Francisca, Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca;

Dão - Red castas Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Aragonez, Jaen e Rufete; White castas Encruzado, Bical, Cercial,

Bairrada - Red casts Baga, Alfrocheiro, Camarate, Castelão, Jaen, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez; 

Colares - Red casta Ramisco;

Carcavelos - Red castas Castelão and Preto Martinho; White castas Galego Dourado, Ratinho, Arinto.

Setúbal - Red casta Moscatel Roxo; white casta Moscatel de Setúbal.

Alentejo - Red castas Alfrocheiro, Aragonez, Periquita1, Tinta Caiada, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Moreto;

Algarve - Red castas Negra Mole, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Periquita; White castas Arinto, Roupeiro,

Manteúdo, Moscatel Graúdo, Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha.

Madeira - Red castas Bastardo, Tinta, Malvasia Cândida Roxa,

Tejo - Red castas Baga, Camarate, Castelão, Trincadeira, Tinta-Miúda, Preto-Martinho, Aragonez, Touriga-Franca,

Touriga-Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Caladoc, Esgana-Cão-Tinto, Jaen, Petit Verdot, Tinta-Barroca, Tinta-

Caiada, Tinto-Cão, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Bastardo, Pinot Noir, Alicante-Bouschet, Grand Noir, Moreto, Syrah;