The Prince of Portuguese Wine

The story of Portuguese white wine begins with a prince—not of flesh and blood, but a designation to honor an exceptional wine. The light and fruity white wine made from Arinto grapes is known as “The Prince of Portuguese Wine,” which also represents the first white wine ever produced in Portugal.

Those searching for “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” must journey to the Lisbon wine region. Here, the white wine, characterized by its slender, elegant profile and citrus notes, is best enjoyed chilled and is still being crafted today, even with a museum dedicated to it. It ranks among the most famous and globally recognized wines from the Lisbon region, contributing greatly to the area's reputation as one of Portugal's most promising wine regions today, recognized for international quality white wines. Wine enthusiasts worldwide marvel at the extraordinary creations by winemakers from the Lisbon area.

2200 Years of Winemaking Experience in Portugal

No wonder then that the Lisbon wine region boasts nearly 2200 years of winemaking experience; “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” was centuries ago the first and, for a long time, the only white wine produced on the Iberian Peninsula. Today, “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” from the Arinto grape ranks among the oldest white wines in the world. It stands as the pioneer for all Portuguese white wines that are still made in the tradition of this classic wine.

A Terroir Ideal for White Grape Vines

Since the Roman occupation, the white Arinto vine has been cultivated for this unique white wine in the region around modern-day Lisbon, particularly in Bucelas. This hilly area features the Serra de Montejunto mountains rising over 300 meters and the wild land is covered in “Macchie,” including bushes and shrubs such as oak, pine, and myrtle. The soil, which fosters a rich diversity of flora and fauna, consists of chalk and crystalline limestone, covered with a thin layer of humus tailored for vine cultivation.

How “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” Captivated the English

In this idyllic old winegrowing region along the Trancao river, northeast of the capital, winemakers first crafted “The Prince of Portuguese Wine.” This wine was likely fortified with brandy initially and found its way to Britain, where notable figures like William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Lord Byron were enamored with this fine Portuguese creation made from Arinto grapes. Shakespeare was so impressed by the wine from Portugal that he included it in one of his works. In his play Henry VI, the Portuguese white wine appeared as “Charneco” (named after a hamlet within the Bucelas wine region). Thereafter, the Arinto wine ascended to become the “King of Portuguese White Wines.”

How the First Portuguese White Wine Became a Trendy Drink in London

It was an English king and a duke who contributed to the further popularity of Portuguese white wine on the British Isles a century later. Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, who also fought against Napoleon on the Iberian Peninsula and defeated him at Waterloo in 1815, took notice of this unique Portuguese white wine and sent it to King George III. Initially, the king consumed the wine in “medicinal doses,” but ultimately popularized Arinto in England, turning it into a fashionable drink in London. In its homeland, the wine gained fame through the sailors of the Portuguese caravel S. Gabriel, who celebrated their return to Portugal after discovering the sea route to India with Bucelas wine.

“Portuguese Hock” - White Wine as Sparkling as Rhine Wine

Due to its flavor reminiscent of Riesling, the English referred to “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” as “Portuguese Hock.” Sparkling and acid-driven like Riesling, the wine from the former historical province of Estremadura still retains its qualities today. The terroir of the cultivation area, located near the town of Loures, was elevated to wine region status only in 1911, providing near-ideal conditions for white grape cultivation.

Maximum Sun Exposure for the Best White Wines

The steep slopes of the vineyards in Bucelas receive maximum sun exposure—optimal conditions for superb white wines. The climate is maritime, with hot and dry summers, while hot days exceeding 30 degrees Celsius are rare in the southern and southwestern slopes of Estremadura's vineyards. Summer nights are cool, and morning fog from the nearby Tejo estuary and Tejo river brings ample moisture, alongside winter rains.

High-Quality Portuguese White Wines

The vineyards of Bucelas are shielded from coastal winds by the Serra de Montejunto mountain range. Situated particularly in hillside areas and along the Tejo river, the vineyards where the grapes for “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” once flourished now stretch across approximately 200 hectares and belong to the Bucelas wine region, a subregion of larger Estremadura. Here, Arinto grapes still yield dry white wines in the tradition of “The Prince of Portuguese Wine.” These wines stand shoulder to shoulder with the forefather of all Portuguese white wines, bearing the highest Portuguese quality seal DOP. Today, they are either produced exclusively from Arinto grapes or must consist of at least 75% Arinto wine.

A Mineral White Wine with Floral Notes and Citrus Aromas

For traditional white wines, Portuguese winemakers allow the harvested grapes to briefly ferment with their skins before pressing and slowly fermenting the juice in French oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months. The result is a bright, sparkling, and mineral wine that often displays a slight green tint, with young wines showcasing floral notes and citrus aromas. As the wine ages, subtle toasted notes and aromas of exotic fruits, hazelnuts, and dried fruits may emerge.

Arinto Wines with High Aging Potential

The alcohol content of white wines made in the tradition of “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” is comparatively moderate. Top-quality wines typically contain 11.5 to 12.5% alcohol by volume, while wines made from a high percentage of late-harvest grapes may exceed 13% alcohol. Young wines feature high acidity, which mellows with extended aging. Quality Arinto wines have significant aging potential, best enjoyed well-chilled at around 10 to 11 degrees.

Forefather of Portuguese White Wines

The renowned reputation of “The Prince of Portuguese Wine” did not last forever, and there were long periods when few producers adhered to the traditional making of the first Portuguese white wines. It wasn't until the 1980s that the forefather of Portuguese white wines was remembered. Today, the small wine-growing region of Bucelas, near the vibrant capital Lisbon, attracts visitors who stop by to taste the high-quality Portuguese white wines at estates like Quinta do Pinto, Morgado de Santa Catherina, Prova Régia, Quinta do Avelar, and Quinta da Murta.

Most guests at these wineries likely do not realize that they are savoring the wine that began the history of Portuguese white wines—a prince, indeed. This light and fruity white wine made from Arinto grapes still lives up to its name, “The Prince of Portuguese Wine,” representing Portuguese white wines of international acclaim.