Portugal: Viticulture

Wine Production Grapes are grown for wine mostly in the northern section of the country along the Douro River, and coastal areas of the Beira. Commercial viticulture creates different forms of grape growing form home consumption. Wine is still produced for home consumption in Portugal; hence, distinctive vine forms are found in Portugal. Examine the vine forms of Portugal.
Port Wines of the Douro River and Porto Port wine is fortified wine, meaning that the alcohol content is raised by the addition of wine brandy. The wine grower must arrest fermentation by adding wine brandy to the must in a proportion of one part brandy to five parts must. This raises the alcohol content to approximately 20%. It is produced exclusively in the Douro region, the first great wine region in the world to be demarcated. Port is aged and shipped from the town of Porto or Oporto, from which it took its name. Its unique bouquet, body, and taste derive from the high quality of the grapes, and from the complexities of the soils and climates of the region. Great Britain, which was Port's first market dating back to the 17th Century, was also its biggest importer up to 1963 when France became the leading buyer (Source: Canada - Portugal Chamber of Commerce). Now visit the upper Douro River region.