Located in the south western fringes of the European continent, Portugal boasts of possessing some of the finest vineyards in the world and two of its foremost wine producing regions, namely the Pico Island wine region and Douro Valley wine region have been preserved as world heritage sites by the UNESCO. The origin of wine making can be traced back to classical times when Portugal was a part of the formidable Roman Empire and it is the roman god Bacchus who is associated as the god of wine and merriment. It is often referred to by theorists that it was in 2000 BC that the Tartessians had sown the seeds of wine making by cultivating vineyards in the areas adjoining the Tagus river valley. However, it is known that in the 10th century BC, with the coming of the Phoenicians vineyards were initiated in these regions. But the origin of wine making as an artistic form developed with the Greek intervention in the 7th century BC.

The diversity of grapes or ‘castas’ available make it possible for the Portuguese to produce a wide variety of wine types having distinct flavour or taste. The most prevalent grape varieties or ‘castas’ available are generous castas, white castas, red castas, and liqueurous castas. The world’s most famous and unique quality of wine can be obtained from the Douro valley region which also possesses the oldest appellation system in the world. The various wine producing regions of Portugal include Madeira, Algarve, Alentejo, Porto, Dao, Setubal, Colares, Bairrada, Bucelas, Carcavelos, Douro, Vinhos Verdes. Of these Porto wine, named after Porto, the second largest city of Portugal and Madeira wine are the exported in maximum quantities. Wine making and wine drinking is a familiar activity in Portugal and with the progress of time it has consolidated its position in terms of popularity in the outside world and embedded itself in the cultural life of the Portuguese.