In bygone days if someone mentioned non-fortified Portuguese wines thoughts would turn immediately to a squat bottle encased in a garish straw basket with the words ‘Mateus Rose’ in prominent letters. Thankfully, Portuguese wines have come a long way since then.

Portuguese fortified wines are rightly regarded as some of the best in the world, but it’s their dry wines that are currently making waves in the wine world. There are over 250 grape varieties native to Portugal which means the breadth and depth of distinctive wines from this amazing country is one of the highest in Europe if not the world.

It was the second half of the 14^th Century that saw Portuguese wines come to prominence as their wines began to be exported in barrels on ships – essentially as ballast in the early days. Over time the heat and the gentle rocking of the seas would start a second fermentation resulting in fortified wines of quality that eventually became feted the world over.

For a country rightly lauded for producing outstanding fortified wines it’s perhaps surprising that today it’s the light, delicate dry white wines such as the classic ‘Vinho Verde’ (directly translating as ‘green wine’ meaning a young wine) are currently impressing discerning wine drinkers. Vinho Verde is lighter in alcohol – normally between 9% – 12% and has a natural light sparkle when poured, adding to its refreshing citrus fruit character on both the nose and palate. Our Raza Vinho Verde (£12.50 per bottle) from Minho in Northern Portugal is a wine that pairs beautifully with family, friends and a splash of sunshine.

The south eastern region of Alentejo produce wonderfully approachable wines; red grape varieties Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez (the Portuguese name for Tempranillo) and Touriga Nacional are in abundance here producing excellent ripe red and black fruit flavoured wines with well-integrated tannins and refined acidity. Our Ciconia Tinto and Branco at £11.50 a bottle is a great showcase for the region.

The mountainous Dao region in the centre of Portugal is one of the oldest established wine regions of Portugal and is home to dozens of indigenous grapes. 80% of the wine produced in Dao is red. Here, the wines tend to be more elegant, complex, intensely flavoured herbaceous reds with great acidity and balance. Our Quinta Do Correrio at £12.95 a bottle is great with a summer charcuterie board.

The Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and produces big robust bold dry red wines with firm tannins and complex black fruit characteristics. These are wines that age and develop well over time as their tannins soften. The red wines of Palmela on the Península de Setúbal can be elegant, made from the Castelão grape, which is difficult elsewhere but able in the sandy soils of the Setúbal Peninsula to ripen well and give reds wines with complex, fruity flavours, good acidity and balanced tannins, ageing to a character not unlike that of mature Cabernet Sauvignon. Family producer Niepoort are known for their fantastic fortified wines but their ‘Drink Me’ dry red blend with layers of ripe red and black berries at £16.50 a bottle is outstandingly good.

So remember; if you’re looking for a wine to please, go Portuguese!