Lisbon, Portugal

West and north of the city of Lisbon, the Lisboa wine region was until recently known as Estremadura.Overall, over 30 different types of grape varietals and nine DOCs can be found in Lisboa. International varietals such as Cabernet and Merlot are now very much in demand after a long period in which primarily Portuguese grape varietals were favored. The region’s most famous red wines come from Alenquer, which has established a reputation for complex, full-bodied wines made from Touriga Nacional and Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo). The most celebrated white wines come from Bucelas, which is known for its fresh, minerally white wines made from Arinto that can gain complexity after 2-3 years of aging. Perhaps the most important geographical features of Lisboa are the Serra de Montejunto hills that shield Lisboa from the winds of the Atlantic Ocean. These hills, which run north from Lisbon, help to moderate the climate for the region’s winemakers.