Vidigueira Wine Region Guide

Vidigueira is a Portuguese wine-producing area located around the municipality of Vidigueira in the Alentejo wine region. The region was promoted to DOC status, the highest in Portuguese wine classification,  from the IPR region in 2003 making it one of eight subregions of the Alentejo DOC. The region is still recognized as Alentejo-Vidigueira in Portugal. Vidigueira wine region consists of volcanic soils allowing grapes to gain characteristics of the terroir. 

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Vidigueira!

Where is the Vidigueira wine region?

The region is located in the central western area of Portugal in the Vidigueira municipality. The region has been one of eight Alentejo subregions since 2003 as its status was upgraded from the IPR zone. Vidigueira wine region is just west of the Moura DOC and Granja-Amareleja DOC. The region is south of Evora district and southwest of Reguingos DOC. This amazing region faces the Atlantic Ocean to the west which sculpts the microclimate of the region. 

History of the Vidigueira wine region

The winemaking in the Vidigueira wine region goes back thousand years and has seen numerous ups and downs. Viticulture in the Vidigueira wine region was said to be developed by the Romans who arrived in the south of Portugal. Winemaking and viticulture became a vital part of residents of the region. Later, the Greeks continued to grow wines in the region and introduced their unique winemaking techniques including using amphorae for the aging process. 

The terroir and geography of the Vidigueira wine region

Vidigueira subregion is mostly formed by volcanic bases with granite-based soils on the top. The unique soil of the region help enhances the flavor of the grapes. The landscapes of the Vidigueira wine region offer several old vineyards that are planted on the steep slopes of the volcanic mountains that creates a unique microclimate that helps with the freshness and complexity of grapes. 

Popular grape varieties from the Vidigueira wine region

The major grape varietals grown in the Vidigueira region includes Alfrocheiro, Antão Vaz, Manteudo, Moreto, Periquita, Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha, Roupeiro, and Trincadeira. Rose wines from the Vidigueira wine region are bright and light red in color. These rose wines are youthful and fresh that reflect the character of the soil. 

Food to pair with Vidigueira wine 

Bocadillo de Salmon

Sandwich is one of the most consumed comfort food across the world. This Spanish sandwich is a variation of fish-based bocadillo sandwiches that calls for local Spanish bread and salmon fillings. The fillings usually consist of smoked salmon, olive oil, fresh cheese, salsa sauce, tomato slices, tartar sauce, and pickles. The sandwich is often served along the tortilla or with chips on the side. This simple to make dish goes well with the rose wines from the Vidigueira wine region. 

Sake nigiri Sushi

This traditional Japanese dish features sashimi-grade salmon atop fluffy sushi rice. The rice is shaped by hand into bite-size pieces and topped with a slice of salmon. The sushi, like most other sushi, has a delicate feel. The flavor of raw salmon can be a little fishier than that of tuna fish. Sake nigiri Sushi is typically eaten with one hand in a single mouthful. Sushi is served with soy sauce, wasabi, or pickles. This flexible sushi can be matched with wines from the Vidigueira wine region.

Sashimi

Sashimi is a popular Japanese food made of thinly sliced raw fish, shrimp, or pork. The meal is frequently accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, and other seasonings. The dinner can be made in a variety of ways, depending on the chef and the occasion. The slices are cut in a variety of ways, ranging from exceedingly thin to thick. Shiso leaves, seaweed, and salads are popular sashimi accompaniments. Because even numbers are considered unlucky, the Japanese serve an odd number of sashimi slices on the plate, known as mukozuke. This dish works well with both red and white Vidigueira wines.

Places to visit in the Vidigueira wine region

Roman ruins of São Cucufate

Archaeological ruin of São Cucufate is one of the important romanesque archaeological sites in the civil parish of Vila de Frades, in the municipality of Vidigueira in the southern Alentejo region. The remain dates back to the middle ages which was once a convent dedicated to Saint Cucuphas. The beginning of convent started during the first century in a form of a small Roman villa. The convent underwent major architectural uplift during the 3rd and 4th centuries which was abandoned in the early 5th century. The convent dedicated to Saint Cucuphas was built on this ruin during the 9th century under the supervision of the monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora. During the 17th century, the structures were abandoned by the monastic community.

Vidigueira Municipal Museum

The museum is housed in a former elementary school and is divided into two major subject centers. The Municipal Museum is close to the Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba e Alvito, and the Câmara Municipal de Vidigueira. The major goal of this municipal museum is to promote cultural as well as the historical aspect of the region. This area promotes cultural understanding, historical understanding, and socio-economic development in the region, and provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience with themes that symbolize the population's ethnographic memory. The museum displays a variety of crafts, business, and agriculture products and technologies from the 1930s.

Frequently asked questions about Vidigueira