It is called Trás-os-Montes (“behind the hills”) as it is the most northeastern region of Portugal and is surrounded by mountains. Here there are traces of wine production which are more than two thousand years old and it is still a region that preserves a lot of tradition, not only in the production of wine but also in its olive oil and almond production.

A visit to the Trás-os-Montes wine region should start with a visit of one of the many ancient Lagares in the Valpaços area. These granite-carved wine presses not only show how wine production here comes from very ancient times, as it teaches us ancient techniques, but very advanced for that time.

The wine region of Trás-os-Montes is divided into 3 sub-regions: Valpaços, Chaves and the Planalto Mirandês.

As it is such an extensive area, it is good to devote a few days to wine tourism in the Trás-os-Montes region. Wine production here is still essentially small projects or family properties. The wine is made with a lot of passion and dedication and so it is very worth knocking on the door of some cellars and meeting the people behind each bottle of wine.

Cities to visit: Chaves, Valpaços, Bragança, Mirandela

Main white varieties: Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato, Códega do Larinho

Main red varieties: Tinta Amarela, Bastardo, Touriga Nacional

The white wines are very aromatic, fruity and a little floral, with medium acidity, and are very balanced. In the case of red wines, they are wines equally intense in aromas, flavors and even in color.  In the mouth, they are structured, full-bodied and with firm tannins. It is common to use oak to age wine, so they become robust and with great aging capacity.