📍 Trás-os-Montes

Trás-os-Montes (behind the mountains) is a mountainous region in north-eastern Portugal, on the border with Spain. The name reflects its position: it lies behind mountain ranges that separate it from the coast and shield it from the ocean. The climate is harsh: cold winters and hot dry summers.

The region makes wine under the regional indication (IGP) Transmontano, and within it separate zones with their own names stand out: Chaves, Valpaços and Planalto Mirandês. Vineyards grow at several hundred metres, often on granite and schist, so wines are fresh and aromatic.

Grapes include Touriga Nacional, Bastardo and other reds, and the whites Malvasia Fina and Códega. Many wines are made by small family estates and sell mostly in Portugal.

Trás-os-Montes is part of Portuguese winemaking and borders the Douro valley, where port is made; many of its grapes grow in the Douro too. Here they give cooler, lighter wines. The region's reds go well with meat, smoked alheira sausage and cheese, and the whites with fish. The name Trás-os-Montes on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.