Setúbal Peninsula wines (20)

Península de Setúbal - a peninsula of contrasts and sweet wines

The peninsula between the Tejo and Sado rivers is characterized by the limestone and clay hills of the Arrábida mountain range, where the grapevines thrive between the Mediterranean climate and Atlantic winds. Inland, sandy soils under the hot sun provide a completely different terroir. The winemakers appreciate the diverse conditions and vinify everything the region offers, from the golden sweet wine Moscatel de Setúbal to fruity red wines and crisp white wine. This is not only a variety that tastes good, but also an exclamation mark of a traditional wine region that is breaking new ground. 

The wine-growing areas

Approximately 10,000 hectares comprise the cultivation area for the grape varieties permitted on the Península de Setúbal, divided into two DOC regions and the Vihno Regional Península de Setúbal region. 

Setúbal DOC

The most outstanding wine region on the peninsula is the Setúbal DOC, with the world-famous Moscatel de Setúbal. The sweet wine has been pleasing kings, merchants, and wine connoisseurs alike for centuries. Even today, great care and dedication are applied to the golden to amber-colored lightly fortified wine. The basis for the second most famous sweet wine in Portugal, after Port and Madeira, is the Muscat grape variety, which is cultivated on the clay and limestone soils of the Arrábida foothills. 

Palmela DOC

The sandy inland area is significantly warmer and drier than the high mountains but is still refreshed by the cool Atlantic winds. This results in often alcohol-rich and concentrated red and white wines from a variety of grape varieties in the Palmela DOC. The wines particularly benefit from the geological composition of the soil. The so-called Piloceno de Pegões offers the vines a mosaic-like soil that can produce diverse products.

Vihno Regional Península de Setúbal

The cultivation region for the Vihno Regional Península de Setúbal stretches from Lisbon far into the south, beyond the borders of the peninsula. The Mediterranean influence of the climate allows the grapevines to ripen, while the salty winds cool the sun-warmed grapes - the land reveals its character in the powerful and fruity wines.

Moscatel de Setúbal

The treasure of the peninsula is the traditional Moscatel de Setúbal sweet wine. Already the Phoenicians and Greeks recognized the great potential of the land to cultivate the Muscat grape variety. The Moscatel de Setúbal gained greater fame in the royal courts of England and France. At the illustrious and extravagant celebrations at the court of Louis XIV, the sweet wine was a must. The Muscat de Setúbal also made the long journey to India - of course lightly fortified to ensure the quality of the wine on the long sea voyage. The constant rocking and the blazing sun shining on the barrels further improved the already high quality of the wine. A globally sought-after sweet wine was born. 

The Muscat de Setúbal combines fruit sugar, alcohol, and freshness - the strengths of the native grape varieties Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal. The wine shines like the sun in golden to amber splendor and carries sweet citrus notes within. Aging in the barrel has a significant influence on the taste and is therefore the quality feature for the sweet wine.

Grape varieties for Península de Setúbal wine

On the Península de Setúbal, both white and red grape varieties thrive due to biodiversity, including

white:

• Muscatel de Setúbal
• Muscatel de Graúdo
• Fernão Pires
• Arinto

red:

• Moscatel Roxo
• Castelão
• Touriga Nacional
• Syrah
• Aragonez

Buy wines from Península de Setúbal online

Whether Moscatel de Setúbal, award-winning DOC wines, or the high-quality Vihnos Regional Península de Setúbal - at VINELLO you will find a curated selection for every taste. Discover classics and insider tips and immerse yourself in the pleasure of a still relatively unknown wine region of Portugal. 

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