Estremadura

The wine-growing region in Portugal with a total of 60,000 hectares of vineyards (more than Austria as a whole) stretches immediately north of Lisbon along the Atlantic coast to the north as far as the city of Leiria and is also known as Oeste (the West). It includes Alcobaca (IPR), Alenquer (DOC), Arruda (DOC), Bucelas (DOC), Carcavelos (DOC), Cartaxo (DOC, part of which is in the Ribatejo region), Encostas de Aire (IPR, part of which is in the Beiras region), Lourinhã (DOC), Óbidos (DOC) and Torres Vedras (DOC). Many wines were produced here for export as early as the 19th century. Barrel wine also went to France in large quantities, for example to give colour and extract to wines from Bordeaux. However, most of it was produced as simple draught wine for domestic consumption. Even today, cask wine is still largely marketed by huge cooperative wineries. Due to the proximity to the sea with the balanced climate and cool nights in autumn, there are good conditions for white wines, which make up a large proportion. In addition to many autochthonous grape varieties, international varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are also cultivated. The country wine area covering the entire region (Portuguese Vinho Regional) was called Estremadura, but since the 2009 vintage it has been called Lisboa.