Vidigueira () 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

Vidigueira Vidigueira (, ), officially the Town of Vidigueira (), is a town and a municipality in the District of Beja in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 5,932, in an area of 316.61 km2. The present Mayor is Manuel Rosa Narra, elected by the Unita ...

municipality 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 an '' Indicação de Proveniencia Regulamentada'' (IPR) region, then elevated to ''

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. 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 ...

. Its name may still be indicated together with that of Alentejo, as Alentejo-Vidigueira.Official Journal of the European Union C 187/1, 8.8.2009: List of quality wines produced in specified regions
(reflects situation as of July 31, 2009) Within Alentejo DOC, this subregion is bordered by the Reguengos subregion to the northeast and the Moura subregion to the southeast.

Viticulture Viticulture (, "vine-growing"), viniculture (, "wine-growing"), or winegrowing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. It is a branch of the science of horticulture. While the native territory of ''Vitis vinifera'', the common grape vine ...

has a long history in the

volcanic soil The soil composition of vineyards is one of the most important viticultural considerations when planting grape vines. The soil supports the root structure of the vine and influences the drainage levels and amount of minerals and nutrients that the ...

s of the region with name ''Vidigueira'' itself being derived from the Portuguese ''videira'' meaning "wine".T. Stevenson ''"The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia"'' pg 333 Dorling Kindersley 2005 Vidigueira produces primarily white wine.

Grapes

The principle grapes of the Vidigueira region includes Alfrocheiro,

Antão Vaz Antão Vaz is a native Portuguese white wine grape variety. Genetic testing has shown it to be a cross of the white Cayetana blanca (through which it is a grandchild of Hebén) and the almost unknown red João Domingos, which is thought to be ...

, Manteudo,

Moreto Moreto is a red Portuguese wine grape variety that is planted primarily in the Alentejo. As a varietal, the grape makes neutral wines. J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'' Third Edition pg 144 Abbeville Press 2003 Synonyms Moreto is ...

, Periquita,

Perrum Palomino Fino is a white grape widely grown in Spain and South Africa, and best known for its use in the manufacture of sherry. It is also grown in the Douro region of Portugal where it is used for table and fortified wines. Wine regions I ...

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 ...

References

{{coord missing, Portugal Wine regions of Portugal Portuguese products with protected designation of origin

Grapes

See also

References