Granja-Amareleja is a
Portuguese wine
Portuguese wine was mostly introduced by the Romans (wine), Romans and other ancient Mediterranean peoples who traded with local coastal populations, mainly in the South. In pre-Roman Gallaecia-Lusitania times, the native peoples only drank beer ...
region centered on the town of
Mourão in the
Alentejo
Alentejo ( , , ) is a geographical, historical, and cultural region of south–central and southern Portugal. In Portuguese, its name means "beyond the Tagus" ().
Alentejo includes the regions of Alto Alentejo Province, Alto Alentejo and Bai ...
region. The region was initially a separate ''
Indicação de Proveniencia Regulamentada'' (IPR) region, but in 2003, it became one of eight subregions of the
Alentejo DOC
Alentejo (''Vinho do Alentejo'', Alentejo wines) is a Portuguese wine region from the Alentejo region. The entire region is entitled to use the ''Vinho Regional'' designation Alentejano VR, while some areas are also classified at the higher ''Denom ...
, which has the higher ''
Denominação de Origem Controlada
The denominação de origem controlada (or DOC) is the system of protected designation of origin for fruit, wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products from Portugal.
Wines
Portuguese wine regions, as well as producers of several o ...
'' (DOC) status. Its name may still be indicated together with that of Alentejo, as Alentejo-Granja-Amareleja.
(reflects situation as of July 31, 2009)
The combination of the region's schist
Schist ( ) is a medium-grained metamorphic rock generally derived from fine-grained sedimentary rock, like shale. It shows pronounced ''schistosity'' (named for the rock). This means that the rock is composed of mineral grains easily seen with a l ...
-based soils and harsh climate has the potential to produce bold, full bodied, spicy red wines.[T. Stevenson ''"The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia"'' pg 332 Dorling Kindersley 2005 ]
Grapes
The principle grapes of the Granja-Amareleja region include Manteudo, Moreto, Periquita, Rabo de Ovelha
Rabo de Ovelha (Portuguese language, Portuguese for "Sheep's tail") is white Portuguese wine grape variety that is grown all over Portugal. It should not be confused with the red Rabo de Anho grape variety that is found in the Vinho Verde region. R ...
, Roupeiro
Roupeiro is a white Portuguese wine grape planted primarily in the Alentejo and Douro regions. In Alentejo, the grape is known as Alva. In the Douro, it is known as Codega. J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'' Third Edition pg 121 Abbevil ...
, and Trincadeira
Tinta Amarela or Trincadeira is a red wine grape that is commonly used in Port wine production. The grape is noted for its dark coloring. Its use in the Douro region has been increasing in recent years. The vine is susceptible to rot and perform ...
.
See also
*List of Portuguese wine regions
Portuguese wine regions are grouped into three levels of classification. At the top are the ''Denominação de Origem Controlada'' (or DOCs) which are Quality Wines Produced in Specified Regions (QWpsr) under the European Union wine regulations ...
References
{{coord missing, Portugal
Wine regions of Portugal