Trás-os-Montes wine region

Trás-os-Montes is a Portuguese DOC (Denominacao de Origem Controlada) title of the Transmontano region in the far north-eastern corner of Portugal.

As its name (trans meaning ''across'' and montano ''mountains'') implies, Transmontano lies on the eastern, inland side of the low mountains which separate the Douro Valley from Toro and Rueda, and thus Portugal from Spain. This geological profile influences the region's shallow granite soils, and the high-quality wines they are capable of producing. Oddly enough, however, this region's most famous wine is not a supple, rich, dry red, but a semi-sweet, lightly sparkling rose known as rosado.

The mountains also have a dramatic impact on the climate. Sheltering the region from rain blowing in from the Atlantic, the hills cast a large rain shadow over Transmontano and a wide strip of western Spain beyond. This makes the area one of Portugal's driest, and consequently Transmontano's prime viticultural areas follow the paths of the region's four main rivers: the Douro, the Sabor, the Tua and the Tamega. This in turn has helped wines made in these vineyards to be elevated from IGP (Indicacoes Geograficas Protegidas, an area classification formerly known as Vinho Regional) status to full DOC status.

Located in the north-eastern corner of Portugal, the Trás-os-Montes vineyards sit at varying altitudes and as a result produce various wine styles. Vineyards located in cooler, higher areas typically produce wines which are lighter in body and lower in alcohol, while the lower-lying areas are the source of fuller-bodied wines which are often perceptibly high in alcohol.

The economy of the wider Transmontano area has long been highly dependent on agriculture, in which viticulture has played a key role. The population density is low and the space available for vineyard plantings is correspondingly high, making this Portugal's most densely planted wine region. The dry environment makes for low yields, however, so each acre of vineyard produces less juice than its equivalent in a coastal region which benefits from higher rainfall. So although Transmontano has more vines than any other Portuguese region, both Ribatejo and Estremadura produce more wine.

Experiences in Trás-os-Montes region:

Strolling through the beautiful formal gardens and interior of Mateus Palace in Vila Real.
Crossing a 2-millennium-old Roman bridge before visiting the attractive spa town of Chaves. 
Taking in Bragança's medieval atmosphere from inside its well-preserved citadel.
Getting away from it all and going back centuries at the Montesinho Natural Park.
Spending some time in Miranda do Douro and rio de Onor, two sleepy villages with ancient traditions.