Best Lisboner Beverage Types
Arinto is a grape variety that most likely comes from Bucelas, Lisbon. The grape is cultivated in several wine regions, but it mostly became associated with Bucelas and Vinho Verde. It is used for dry and sparkling styles, including varietals and blends.
Though most wines are enjoyed young, they have good aging potential. The wines are usually crisp, fresh, and bright, with high acidity and aromas reminiscent of green apples and citrus fruit. The maritime influence in Bucelas will also give these wines a mineral character and some saline notes.
Along with Cognac and Armagnac, the Portuguese Lourinhã region is one of the three designated brandy-production regions in the world. This brandy is mostly produced with neutral white wine that has good acidity. Recommended grape varieties include Alicante, Alvadurão, Broal Espinho, Marquinhas, Malvásia Rei (Seminário), and Tália.
After it is distilled, the spirit is aged in oak casks before it is cut with water to reach the desired alcohol content of 40% ABV. Aging must be carried out in the designated region, exclusively in oak and chestnut barrels. Specific climate, terroir, and the proximity of the sea all influence the final character of Lourinhã brandy.
Colares is a small Portuguese wine region located north of Lisbon, on the sandy soils next to the Atlantic. The wines are made from the native Ramisco grape, which produces rich and concentrated red wines with plenty of tannins and good acidity.
The region is best known for its distinctive location. Because of the sandy soil, the vines in Colares managed to survive the phylloxera that devastated European vineyards in the 19th century, which makes Colares one of the rare European regions with ungrafted vines—the vines that are not grafted to American rootstock.
Bucelas is a small Portuguese wine region (DOC) located just north of Lisbon that produces white wines mainly from the native Arinto variety. Some claim that the wine has been produced here since the ancient Romans and Phoenicians, but it gained international popularity during the Elizabethan and Victorian ages.
Nowadays, the production is small, largely focused on dry white wines, with a small number of sparkling styles. The wines are light, pale yellow, and usually high in acidity. They have a fruity aroma that is reminiscent of citrus fruit and green apples.
Ramisco is a red grape native to Portugal. It is mostly cultivated on the sandy soils of Colares appellation, located northwest of Lisbon. Ramisco typically produces wines that are high in acidity and tannins in their youth. The grape is only found in this region, so its features can only be discussed in the framework of the Colares appellation.
Ramisco wines usually have notes of dark fruit and violets. Most examples have a distinctive saline-like quality typically attributed to the regions’ proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Ramisco wines usually improve with age. Their somewhat harsh tannins will soften, and the wines generally become more balanced with earthy, floral, and herbal notes and a hint of spice.
Best Lisboner Beverage Producers
AWARDS
Barcelona Beer Challenge - Gold
2022, 2021
European Beer Star - Gold
2021
BEST Cerveja Musa Beers
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
BEST Maria de Fátima Teixeira Ribeiro Silva Wines
AWARDS
USA Wine Ratings - Gold
2023
BEST CASCA WINES - PROD.E COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DE VINHOS, SA Wines
AWARDS
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
BEST Sociedade Agrícola da Casa D'arrochella Wines
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2021
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2019
BEST Quinta Vale d'Aldeia Wines
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024
BEST Pafelim Liqueurs
A Ginjinha is a famous Portuguese bar and producer of Ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) located in Lisbon, Portugal. Established in 1840 by a Galician monk named Espinheira, it is renowned for its iconic cherry liqueur made by infusing sour cherries (ginja berries) in aguardente (Portuguese spirit).
The liqueur is traditionally served in a small glass, with customers asked if they prefer it “com ou sem elas” (with or without the cherry). This sweet-tart drink has become a symbol of Lisbon's cultural experience, drawing locals and tourists alike to enjoy a taste of this authentic Portuguese tradition.
BEST A Ginjinha Liqueurs
Best Lisboner Beverages
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2021
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
Barcelona Beer Challenge - Gold
2022
AWARDS
Barcelona Beer Challenge - Gold
2021
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2021
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2021
Quinta dos Murças - Esporão is a prestigious wine estate in the Douro Valley, part of the Esporão group. Known for its high-quality red and white wines, it combines traditional methods with modern techniques, focusing on local grape varieties like Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz.
The estate emphasizes sustainability and produces wines that reflect the unique character of the region, offering complexity, balance, and elegance.
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2018
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