📍 Pico

Pico is a volcanic island in the Azores archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, belonging to Portugal. Mount Pico, 2,351 metres high, rises above the island and is the highest point in the country. Vineyards grow right on the coast, on black volcanic lava.

The island's unique feature is the currais. These are small plots of vines surrounded by low walls of black basalt. The walls protect the vines from ocean wind and spray and hold heat. The vineyard landscape of the island is a UNESCO World Heritage site (2004).

The main grape is the white Verdelho. In the 19th century the island was famous for fortified and sweet wines, but vine diseases almost destroyed the vineyards. Today they are being restored, and the Pico appellation (PDO) covers dry and fortified white wines. The wines are mineral, with fresh acidity and a salty touch.

Pico is part of the Azores and of Portuguese winemaking. Here are perhaps the most unusual vineyards in Europe: vines grow straight out of black stones by the sea. Pico wines suit fish and seafood, since fish cooking lies at the heart of Azorean culture. The name Pico on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.