Alentejano

This is a portuguese wine region located in the Alentejo region of the country. The entire region is entitled to use the Vinho Regional (VR) designation Alentejano VR, while some areas are also classified at the higher DOC level under the desiganation Alentejo DOC. Located in the southern half of Portugal, the sparsely populated region covers almost one third of the country itself. The region is noted for its cork production, however in recent times has been noted for its table wine. A lot of different grape varieties are covered by the VR, including Abundante, Alfrocheiro Preto, Alicante Bouschet, Antao Vaz, Arinto, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Diagalves, Fernao Pires, Grand Noir, Mantuedo, Moreto. Palomino, Periquita, Rabo de Ovelha, Tempranillo and Trincadeira. Alentejo is known for its red wines that come in two distinct styles.Some producers choose the traditional method of using blends of indigenous grapes, picking fruit at optimum ripeness and creating wines with earthy, robust, complexity that can be quite ageworthy. Other wine-makers are taking a more "new-world" approach, favoring more ripened fruit and jammy, intense wine. Its the latter style that has brought the most recent attention to the region.