While Portugal has hung its hat on the signature fortified wines, Port and Madeira, the country has awoken the rest of the wine world to its tremendous potential in quality red table wine and mostly through native grapes.

Portugal shares its border with Spain on the west and a small stretch to the north while the eastern side joins the Atlantic.  The country spans only 380 miles north to south and, on average, about 100 miles east west.  The terrain ranges from mountainous north of Porto in the northwest portion of the country to rolling open plains in the south central Alentejo to flat on the Atlantic west coastal plain.  The Douro River cutting westward from Spain (where it is known as the Duero), carves out deep canyons rimmed by steep and rugged vineyard terraces.  Much of the region is still somewhat remote with small winding roads.  Soils in the hearty Douro region are rocky with an abundance of schist.  Climate, overall, is maritime with warm summers and cool, wet winters.  However, move a bit inland, and temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees for long stretches during the summer.  Rainfall ranges from around 80 inches in the mountains to less than 500mm in some inland regions.