Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/751131
PORTUGAL Portugal, with its long history of fortified wines, excels at producing dessert wines from native varieties, but the country is garnering popularity as of late for producing rich, reasonable table wines as well. With varying terroir throughout the country, the native varieties take advantage of the diversity. Schist makes up the majority of the Douro, the center of Port production, and the mountains shield the vines from strong winds. Also protected by moun- tain ranges, the Daõ relies on poor, gran- ite soils. Wholly coastal, the Peninsula of Setúbal is limestone and sand, and even sustains some vines never affected by phylloxera. Madeira is comprised of vol- canic, decomposed red tufa, stony soils and clay resulting from decomposition of dark tufa. Famous for its Port and Madeira, the still wines are demanding at- tention, especially the reds. With a range of grape varieties and a plethora of soil types, Portu- gal produces some of the most unique wines in the world. TAWNY PORT with an indication of year is in fact an average of the years in- cluded in the blend to ensure a house style. CASTELÃO is the most widely planted variety, or casta, in Portugal. PERIQUITA is now the oldest brand of Portuguese table wine still being produced and sold in Portugal. 131 PORTUGAL