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Portugal Estremadura
Bucelas DOC
Bucelas DOC |
Description to Bucelas DOC
The DOC area (formerly Bucellas) for white wine is located north of Lisbon in the Portuguese region of Lisboa in the western centre of the country. It is named after the municipality of the same name, where the "Festa do Vinho e das Vindímas", a popular festival lasting several days, takes place every year in October. The vineyards cover around 200 hectares of vines on soils of calcareous marl and crystalline limestone covered with a thin layer of humus. The acidic, storable white wines as well as sparkling wines are mainly made from the indigenous Arinto variety, supplemented by Esgana Cão (Sercial). The red wines of the area, mainly made from Touriga Nacional, are marketed as IGP wines (country wines).
The white wine was praised by William Shakespeare (1544-1616) and mentioned in his drama Henry VI as "Charneco" (after a village). At that time it was considered the "king of Portuguese white wines". Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), victor over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, became acquainted with the wine as a young officer during the Spanish War of Independence in 1809 and made it popular in England. Due to its riesling-like taste, it was called "Portuguese Hock" (Portuguese Rhine wine) there. However, this reputation was lost and for a long time there was only one producer. Today it is again produced by several, for example Quinta da Romeira.