The Legendary Prince of Portuguese Wine

The tale of Portuguese white wine begins with a prince—one whose quality is extraordinary. The light and fruity white wine made from Arinto grapes is known as "The Prince of Portuguese Wine," which also serves as the first white wine ever produced in Portugal.

Embarking on a quest for "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" leads to the Lisbon wine region. Here, this elegant and refreshing white wine, known for its delicious citrus notes and best served chilled, is still produced today and even has its own museum. It ranks among the most renowned and respected wines of the Lisbon region, significantly contributing to its acknowledgment as one of the most exciting wine regions in Portugal. Wine lovers worldwide are thrilled by the exceptional wines crafted by winemakers in Lisbon.

2200 Years of Winemaking History in Portugal

It’s no surprise that the Lisbon wine region possesses almost 2200 years of winemaking history. For many centuries, "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" was the first and for a long time, the only available white wine on the Iberian Peninsula. Today, "The Prince of Portuguese Wine," derived from the Arinto grape, is regarded as one of the oldest white wines in the world and lays the groundwork for all Portuguese white wines that continue to follow this traditional production method.

An Ideal Terroir for White Grapes

Since Roman times, the white Arinto vine has been cultivated in the region around present-day Lisbon, especially in Bucelas. The hilly terrain of the Serra de Montejunto rises over 300 meters, adorned with Macchie—shrubbery made of oaks, pines, and myrtles. The terroir consists of marl and crystalline limestone, topped with a thin layer of humus, perfectly suited for winemaking.

How "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" Captivated the English

In this serene valley of the Trancao river, northeast of Lisbon, "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" was first crafted. It was likely fortified with brandy initially, swiftly making its way to Britain, where notable figures like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Lord Byron fell for it. Shakespeare was so enamored by this fine Portuguese white wine that he immortalized it in his work "Henry VI" as "Charneco" (named after a location in the Bucelas wine region). Thereafter, Arinto wine rose to become the "King of Portuguese White Wines."

How the First Portuguese White Wine Became a Trend in London

An English king and a duke played their roles in promoting this fine Portuguese white wine. Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, admired it and sent it to King George III, who first enjoyed it in "medicinal doses" and ultimately made it a trend in London. The wine became renowned thanks to sailors from the Portuguese caravel S. Gabriel, who celebrated their return to India with Bucelas wine.

"Portuguese Hock" - A Sparkling White Wine Like Rhine Wine

The English dubbed "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" "Portuguese Hock" due to its flavor profile reminiscent of Riesling. This sparkling and acid-focused wine from the historical wine region of Estremadura retains its qualities even today.

Maximum Sun Exposure for the Finest White Wines

The steep vineyards of Bucelas receive maximum sun exposure—ideal for outstanding white wines. The climate is maritime with hot, dry summers and cool nights. Morning fog and winter rains provide adequate moisture.

Top-Quality Portuguese White Wines

The Bucelas vineyards are shielded by the Serra de Montejunto from coastal winds. These lands also grow the Arinto vines for "The Prince of Portuguese Wine," extending over approximately 200 hectares in the Bucelas wine region—part of the larger Estremadura. These vineyards still produce dry white wines that follow the traditions of "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" and bear the highest Portuguese quality seal DOP. They are either produced purely or made with at least 75% Arinto content.

Mineral White Wines with Floral and Fruity Aromas

Following traditional practices, Portuguese winemakers let the harvested grapes briefly ferment with their skins before pressing them and slowly fermenting the juice for at least 12 months in French oak barrels. The resulting product is a bright, sparkling, and mineral wine often exhibiting a slight green hue, with floral and citrus notes. As it ages, fine toasted notes and aromas of exotic fruits, hazelnuts, and dried fruits emerge.

High Aging Potential for Arinto Wines

The wines produced in the tradition of "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" have a moderate alcohol content of 11.5% to 12.5%. When a high proportion of late harvest grapes is included, it can exceed 13%. Young wines display high acidity, which diminishes over time. Quality Arinto wines boast significant aging potential; ideally, they are enjoyed chilled at around 10 to 11 degrees.

The Forerunner of Portuguese White Wines

The respected reputation of "The Prince of Portuguese Wine" did not last indefinitely, and there were extended periods when few producers adhered to the traditional method used for the initial Portuguese white wines. It was not until the 1980s that there was a revival of the forefather of Portuguese white wines. Today, the small wine-growing region of Bucelas, near the vibrant capital Lisbon, welcomes visitors eager to sample exquisite Portuguese white wines at estates such as Quinta do Pinto, Morgado de Santa Catherina, Prova Régia, Quinta do Avelar, and Quinta da Murta.

Most guests at these wineries likely remain unaware that they are tasting the wine that embarks on the history of Portuguese white wines—a prince, indeed. The light and fruity white wine made from Arinto grapes still does justice to its name, "The Prince of Portuguese Wine," representing Portuguese white wines of the highest international quality.