With its wealth of native grapes and value-driven, food-friendly wines, diminutive Portugal packs a punch.

Dazzling natural beauty, picturesque historical villages and great food have made Portugal a must-visit destination for holiday-goers around the globe. And there’s no question that much of the attraction stems from the dynamic, high-quality, value-packed, food-friendly wines crafted across the country.

Though imported grapes such as Syrah, Cabernet and Chardonnay are permitted, the soul and strength of Portugal’s winemaking is centred squarely on its over 250 indigenous grape varieties. Such diversity allows for a virtually inexhaustible array of must-try, elegant, refined, food-friendly expressions. This astonishing variety might suggest a confusion of styles for consumers to wrap their heads around, but Portugal’s winemakers focus on just a handful of grapes as the foundation for their blends. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Trincadeira are the most common contributors to the country’s red blends, providing a familiar baseline for fans to lock on to. Producers  then draw on the wealth of native grapes at their disposal to season these blends and reflect their own styles. Similarly,  Albariño (Alvarinho), Loureiro and Encruzado are some of the more important white varieties used in Portugal’s white blends.

Here are some popular pairings. 

Vinho Verde’s aromatic whites, with their tones of white flowers, apple and lime-citrus, along with bright driving acidity and mineral notes, are perfect for seafood in a rich, creamy sauce.

Many Portuguese reds are crafted in an approachable, smooth, richly textured style. Ripe red fruit and excellent balance make these wines appealing options for lamb or goat stew.

Reds with more pronounced, muscular tannins call for beef dishes or rabbit in red-wine sauce to match their intensity, rich ripe fruit and dense mouthfeel.

Roasted pork loin is another good option for the complex, concentrated red fruit and structure of Portuguese red blends.