Peninsula de Setúbal - a peninsula of contrasts and sweet wines
The peninsula between the Tagus and Sado rivers is characterised by the limestone and clay hills of the Arrábida mountains, where the vines thrive between the Mediterranean climate and the Atlantic winds. Inland, sandy soils under the hot sun offer a very different terroir. The winegrowers know how to appreciate the diverse conditions and vinify everything the region has to offer, from the golden yellow sweet wine Moscatel de Setúbal to fruity red wines and crisp white wines. This is not only diversity that tastes good, but also an exclamation mark of a wine region rich in tradition that is setting out for new shores.
The growing areas
About 10,000 hectares are planted with the grape varieties permitted on the Peninsula de Setúbal, which is divided into two DOC regions and the Vihno Regional Peninsula de Setúbal region.
Setúbal DOC
Probably the most outstanding wine region on the peninsula is the Setúbal DOC with the world famous Moscatel de Setúbal. This sweet wine has been enjoyed by kings, merchants and wine connoisseurs alike for centuries. Even today, the greatest care and dedication is applied to the golden to amber slightly fortified wine. The basis for Portugal's best-known sweet wine, alongside Port and Madeira, is the Muscat grape variety, which is cultivated on the precursors of Arrábida on clay and calcareous soils.
Palmela DOC
The sandy inland is much warmer and drier than the high mountains, but is still refreshed by the cool Atlantic winds. This makes for wines from the Palmela DOC that are often high in alcohol and concentrated red and white wines from a variety of grape varieties. The wines here benefit particularly from the geological composition of the soil. The so-called Piloceno de Pegões opens up a mosaic-like soil for the vines, which can yield diverse products.
Vihno Regional Peninsula de Setúbal
The growing region for Vihno Regional Peninsula de Setúbal stretches from Lisbon to the far south, across the borders of the peninsula. The Mediterranean influence of the climate allows the grapes to ripen, the salty winds cool the grapes warmed by the sun - the land shows its character in the powerful and fruity wines.
Moscatel de Setúbal
The treasure of the peninsula is the traditional Moscatel de Seúbal sweet wine. Already the Phoenicians and Greeks recognized the great potential of the land to cultivate the muscatel grape variety. The Moscatel de Setúbal reached greater fame in the royal houses of England and France. Thus, the sweet wine could not be missing at the illustrious and exuberant celebrations at the court of Louis XIV. The Muscat de Setúbal also made the long journey to India - lightly fortified, of course, to ensure the quality of the wine on the long sea voyage. The eternal swaying and the blazing sun that shone on the barrels improved the already high quality of the wine even more. A globally sought-after sweet wine was born.
Muscate de Setúbal combines fructose, alcohol and freshness - the strengths of the indigenous Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal grape varieties. The wine shines like the sun in golden to amber splendour and carries sweet citrus notes inside. The aging in the barrel has a great influence on the taste and is therefore the mark of quality for the sweet wine.
Grape varieties for Peninsula de Setúbal wine
Due to its biodiversity, both white and red grape varieties thrive on the Peninsula de Setúbal, including
white:
- Muscat de Setúbal
- Muscatel de Graúdo
- Fernão Pires
- Arinto
red:
- Moscatel Roxo
- Castelão
- Touriga Nacional
- Syrah
- Aragonez
Buy wines from the Peninsula de Setúbal online
Whether Moscatel de Setúbal, award-winning DOC wines or the top-class Vihnos Regional Peninsula de Setúbal - at VINELLO you will find an exquisite selection for every taste. Discover classics and insider tips and dive into the pleasure of a still quite unknown wine region of Portugal
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