Lima Wine Region

Lima is a traditional wine region in a typical Portuguese rural landscape in the districts of Viana do Varietylo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca, and Arcos de Valdevez. This lovely wine-growing region is located in northwestern Portugal, in the Vinho Verde region, just south of the Moncão e Melgaco wine zone. The territory confronts the Atlantic Ocean to the west, which has a significant impact on the region's viticulture. The wine region is famous for its red wines, which dominate the region's inland area. The geography is varied, ranging from high mountains to flat coastal lands, and is frequently referred to as High Lima and Low Lima.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Lima!

Where is the Lima wine region?

Lima is part of the Vinho Verde wine area, which is the largest defined wine zone in northernmost Portugal. The district of Viana do Varietylo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca, and Arcos de Valdevez are included in the region, which has terrain varying from steep slopes to low-altitude coastal areas. Lima wine area is located just south of the Moncão e Melgaco subregion and north of the Cavado subregion. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the Lima wine area from the west, creating several microclimates in the Lima Valley. The interior region is known as High Lima, whereas the seaside part is known as Low Lima.

History of the Lima wine region

Ponte de Lima is often considered to be Portugal's oldest town. This was attributed to Queen Teresa awarding the city with a royal charter in 1125. This occurred three years before Portugal's independence in 1128. A statue of Queen Teresa handing the charter to the town can be found on Avandia António Feijó. Wines from the Lima wine area were among the first to reach the European market in the 16th century. The wines were often exported to northern Europe on cod-carrying ships. The region is one of the world's oldest wine districts, with hundreds of talented wineries generating money and contributing to the region.

The terroir and geography of the Lima wine region

The terrain of the Lima wine region is quite diverse from the coastal area going up the hills in the inner areas. The soil in the region is very much similar to the Cavado region which is primarily granite soil with patches of schist. The summer is hot and dry while winter is cold and rainy. The area has a Mediterranean climate due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Limia river flows in the center of the region joining the coastal area. The topography is uneven, with various altitude variations from the shore to the interior mountainous hills. Most of the vineyards in the inner land focus on the red grape varietal whereas, in the coastal area, white grapes are favored.

Popular grape varieties from the Lima wine region

The most favored white grape variety in the Lima wine region is the Loureiro.

Other grape varietals that are grown in the region are as follows:

Red varietals: Borraçal, Espadeiro, and Vinhao.

White varietals: Arinto, Loureiro, and Trajadura.

Food to pair with Lima wine 

Sashimi

A common Japanese dish known as sashimi consists of thinly sliced raw fish, shrimp, or pork. With the dish, soy sauce, wasabi, and other seasonings are frequently used. The supper can be made in a variety of ways depending on the chef and the occasion. The thickness of the slices ranges from very thin to substantial and is frequently served with salads, seaweed, and shiso leaves. The Japanese customarily serve an odd number of sashimi slices on the plate, known as mukozuke, because even numbers are seen as unlucky. Both red and white wines from the Lima wine appellation go well with this dish.

Lobster a l'Americaine

A classic French dish called lobster a l'Americaine can be prepared using a variety of various ingredients. Common ingredients include lobster meat, heavy cream, butter, carrots, celery, shallots, tomato paste, garlic, dry white wine, cognac, or dry sherry, chicken or fish stock, bay leaves, and chopped parsley.

Before being flame-boiled with cognac or sherry, the lobster is cooked in the sauce. The flavor of the food will be improved if the lobster is cooked in its shell. You should serve it with rice on the side, as advised. The only thing that is known about its history is that it is a French dish; nevertheless, a number of sources suggest that it originated in the Languedoc or Brittany regions, while some think that it may have been served to first-class passengers on ships sailing to America, hence the name. If you are searching for an easy recipe to pair with the white wines from the Lima wine region, look no further than this savory Lobster a l'Americaine.

Sea Urchin in Salsa Verde

This amazing dish is a classic appetizer originating from Chile. The recipe includes fresh sea urchins, onions, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The flesh of the urchin is extracted from the shells, which are then washed, drained, and served in a bowl. All of the ingredients are combined and poured over the urchin meat. This dish is frequently served with lemon wedges. The meal is creamy, rich, and slightly sweet, and it goes nicely with the wine from the Lima region.

Places to visit in the Lima wine region

Igreja Matriz Ponte De Lima

Located in the municipality of Ponte de Lima in the region of Viano do Castelo, the church of Ponte de Lima dates back to the 12-13th century. Despite the fact that gothic architecture was popular at the time, the church was built in the Romanesque style. The church was finished in the mid-15th century during King Manuel I's reign, and the interior's magnificent sculptures and transepts were made in the 18th century and dedicated to the Nossa Senhora das Dores. Many improvements have been done since then, as the church represents the views of the community. The bell tower and neo-gothic rose window were constructed in the nineteenth century. The church has been a monument of public interest since 2013 and is open to the public. This wonderful church is worth seeing because of the impressive work from the Middle Ages.

Puente Romano De Ponte De Lima

The bridge is one of the most notable structures in Portugal. The bridge was built during the medieval period that spans 380 meters crossing the Lima river. The bridge is emblematic itself which gave the name of the town. The bridge is made in roman architecture with 16 arches to connect the towns of Braga and Astorga. The bridge was rebuilt in the 14th century by Pedro I, fortifying it with defense towers. This fascinating roman bridge is the main monument in the town of Ponte de Lima and is a must-see place while you are on your tour to the Lima wine region. 

Frequently asked questions about Lima