Buy Portuguese wine in Belgium: Portugal specialists since 1999
Export figures show Portuguese wine is thriving: between 2010 and 2021, exports rose in value from 600 million to over 900 million euros. Despite its modest production volume, Portugal is claiming its place on the map with wines of distinct character.
That distinctiveness is ideal for a role as a valued niche player. Those looking for something more appreciate the authenticity and character of the wines: they are every bit as good as what other wine countries offer, but clearly have a taste of their own.
The Portugal Collection has specialised in Portuguese wine since 1999. We select the most characterful wines, directly from the estate, and deliver throughout Belgium.
The character of Portuguese wine
The wines draw their character from a special climate and a large arsenal of indigenous grape varieties. The rugged, rather inhospitable landscape forces winemakers in most places into a small-scale approach, which encourages the pursuit of quality. Modernity has arrived in recent decades, but a fine balance has been struck with the customs of the past.
Portugal's wine regions
- Douro: Portugal's most spectacular wine region: red and white wines from powerful to refined, and the birthplace of port.
- Dão: elegant, complex wines from granite soils, sheltered by mountains: the 'Burgundy of Portugal'.
- Bairrada: Baga and Bical on the Atlantic coast, and traditional-method sparkling wine.
- Vinho Verde: fresh Alvarinho and Loureiro from the cool Atlantic north.
- Lisboa: a new generation of natural winemakers on the cool coast north of Lisbon.
- Alentejo: the warm south, with spicy to powerful wines and the age-old talha tradition.
- Port: tawny, ruby, colheita and vintage port from the Douro Valley.
- Madeira: fortified wines from the island of Madeira, with legendary ageing potential.
Grape varieties: an unrivalled diversity
Portugal has many assets for making original wines, and its arsenal of indigenous grape varieties is perhaps the most important. In total, more than 200 different grape varieties have been recorded in Portugal.
When varieties accounting for just 1% of total plantings still make the top 10, you can imagine how varied the landscape is. In the Douro alone, the appellation recognises 80 varieties.
Widely planted black varieties include Aragonez, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional and Castelão. Among whites, Maria Gomes, Roupeiro and Arinto are common.
Portugal in figures
Portugal's total vineyard area has fallen sharply over the past 30 years, but the country holds its place just outside the world's top 10. Today it has some 190,000 ha of vineyards, producing around 6 million hl a year on average. By comparison, neighbouring Spain has more than 900,000 ha producing 40 million hl, and France has less than 800,000 ha but produces almost 50 million hl.
| Region | Vineyards | Production |
|---|---|---|
| Douro | 44,000 ha | 800,000 hl of port and 400,000 hl of unfortified wine |
| Alentejo | 25,400 ha | 1,100,000 hl |
| Vinho Verde | 21,000 ha | 800,000 hl |
| Lisboa | 19,900 ha | 1,000,000 hl |
| Dão | 13,400 ha | 250,000 hl |
| Península de Setúbal | 7,200 ha | 460,000 hl |
| Bairrada | 4,000 ha | 200,000 hl |
| Madeira | 600 ha | 38,000 hl, mainly fortified wine |
For comparison: Burgundy has 27,188 ha producing 1,400,000 hl, and Bordeaux 120,000 ha producing 6,000,000 hl.
Portuguese wine exports
Notably, Portuguese wine exports have grown by 50% since 2000. In value, they exceed 900 million euros worldwide, of which 400 million within the EU and 48 million to Belgium. In volume, they total 2.8 million hl, of which 1.4 million hl within the EU and 140,000 hl to Belgium. Port accounts for 42% of the volume and 60% of the value.
Belgium thus accounts for 5.3% of the volume of Portuguese wine exported and 6.5% of its value.
Portuguese wine at The Portugal Collection
Since 1999 we have selected Portugal's most characterful wines, directly from the estate: from Vinho Verde to the Alentejo, and from port to madeira. Discover our producers or the full range in the webshop.
Delivery and collection
We deliver throughout Belgium. Shipping costs €15.73 (incl. VAT) and is free from €175. Prefer to collect? You can pick up your order at our shop in Roeselare, Kaaistraat 62A. More about delivery
Frequently asked questions about Portuguese wine
Where can you buy Portuguese wine in Belgium?
Since 1999, The Portugal Collection has specialised in Portuguese wine and imports directly from producers such as Niepoort, Quinta do Vale Meão, Soalheiro, Filipa Pato and Alvaro Castro. Order online with delivery throughout Belgium, or collect in Roeselare.
What makes Portuguese wine special?
Above all the enormous wealth of indigenous grape varieties, more than 200, combined with a wide range of climates: from the cool Atlantic north to the warm south. That produces wines with a taste of their own, found nowhere else.
What is the difference between port and Portuguese wine?
Port is a fortified, sweet wine from the Douro Valley. Alongside it, Portugal makes dry red, white and rosé wines in every region, as well as sparkling wine. Madeira is also a fortified wine, from the island of the same name.
Which Portuguese wine region suits me?
If you like fresh white wine, look at Vinho Verde or Bairrada. For elegant reds, the Dão is a good choice; for more powerful reds, the Douro or the Alentejo. Fancy something idiosyncratic and natural? Then Lisboa is worth exploring.