🍷 Carcavelos
A rare fortified wine from a suburb of Lisbon.
Carcavelos is a rare fortified wine from the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal. It is made in the Carcavelos area near the coast, between Lisbon and Cascais. The name was once well known in Europe, and in the 18th century the wine was popular.
Like other fortified wines, Carcavelos is made by adding grape spirit. The wine is strong and off-dry or sweet. It is aged in casks and, with time, takes on nutty and caramel notes, and its colour turns amber or brown.
Today very few vineyards remain. The city around Lisbon has grown, and land for vines has given way to houses and roads. The remaining vineyards are kept, and a few producers make small batches, which is why the wine is regarded as rare.
Carcavelos belongs to the fortified wines, like port, Madeira and Moscatel de Setúbal, but stands apart because there is so little of it. It is served in small glasses, chilled, as an aperitif or with dessert. Alcohol is for adults.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Carcavelos?
A rare fortified wine from the outskirts of Lisbon in Portugal.
Why is Carcavelos rare?
The growing city pushed out the vineyards, and very few remain.
How is Carcavelos drunk?
In small glasses, chilled, as an aperitif or with dessert.
Similar
🍷 Moscatel de Setúbal · 🍷 Rutherglen Muscat · 🍷 Mutage · 🍷 Liqueur wine · 🍷 Mavrodaphne of Patras · 🍷 Fondillón
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.