Region 1: Portugal

When it comes to individuality, Portuguese wines could be ranked number one. Much of Portugal's charm lies in the fact that it has remained free from fashionable trends and latest fads. Portugal has a rich heritage of native grape varieties.

Touriga Nacional is, with out a doubt, Portugal's greatest red-grape variety. It is used in the best red table wines and in the production of Port. Other chief red varieties include Tinta Roriz, Periquita, and Touriga Francesa.

Arinto, Bical, Azal, Alvarinho, and Fernao Pires, just to name a few, are some of the chief Portuguese white varieties. Vinho Verde is by far Portugal's most widely produced white wine. It is very popular during the hot summer months because it is low in alcohol and has crisp lemon-lime flavors.

Portugal, although not a large country, is highly- planted and each region are subject to very different influences of Atlantic, Mediterranean and even continental climates. The soil composition also varies greatly, in the north - granite, slate and schist, and in the south - clay and sand.