📍 Tejo

Tejo is a wine region in central Portugal, in the valley of the Tagus (Tejo) river, north-east of Lisbon. Until 2009 it was called Ribatejo. The river floods regularly and leaves rich silt, so the plains here are very fertile; it is one of the most productive zones of the country.

Many grapes are grown in the valley on alluvial soils. The reds include Castelão, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela and Trincadeira, and the whites Fernão Pires and others. Castelão gives berry-flavoured, soft wines; Fernão Pires gives fresh aromatic whites.

The fertile plains give large crops used for simple wines, while on poorer hills and sandy soils wines are more concentrated and age-worthy. The region is also known for horse farms: Lusitano horses are bred here.

Tejo is part of Portuguese winemaking; Lisbon lies to the west and Alentejo to the south. Many of the region's wines sell at moderate prices and suit the everyday table. Castelão suits meat and sausages, and Fernão Pires fish and light dishes. The name Tejo on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.