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Ray Isle (@islewine on Twitter) is Food & Wine's executive wine editor. We trust his every cork pop and decant – and the man can sniff out a bargain to boot. Take it away, Ray. What do Arinto, Baga, Castelão, Alfrocheiro, Rabigato, Códega do Larinho and Esgana Cão (which, rather evocatively, translates as “dog strangler”) all have in common? They’re all Portuguese grape varieties, which means they are grown in the place that is currently winning my award for most exciting wine country in the world that the U.S. doesn’t know enough about. But there are terrific wines being made up and down the length of this country, white and red, from a plethora of local as well as international grapes. Plus, the quality of the country’s winemaking is at an all-time high. Here’s a start: Four Portuguese regions worth looking into, with a recommended wine or two for each. Whites are less common, but the tropical-fruited 2012 João Portugal Ramos Vila Santa Loios White ($9) is very good, and an excellent deal. The peachy 2012 Tons de Duorum White ($12), a blend of (get ready) Viosinho, Rabigato, Verdelho, Arinto, and Moscatel grapes, is one; so is the plummy, thyme-scented 2011 Prazo de Roriz red ($15), which kind of begs to be served with an herb-roasted leg of lamb. For a bit of a splurge, though, check out the herb-scented, polished 2009 Álvaro Castro Dão Red ($25), from one of Portugal’s best winemakers. Inexpensive, basic wines from producers such as Aveleda and J.M. Fonseca are very reliable, provided the most recent vintage is on the shelf. And even the greatest Vinho Verde wines—such as the complex, single-vineyard 2012 Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho ($17) or the spicy, layered 2012 Anselmo Mendes Contacto ($21)—are still remarkably affordable. More from Food & Wine: Get to know: Prosecco, Chianti, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Vinho Verde, Pinot Bianco, Malbec, Torrontes, ice wine, Albarino, Muscadet Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Dolcetto © 2011 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. 
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The largest importer of Portuguese wines is France.
I wonder why...
As an American that lived in Portugal for 5 years, I must say that the wines you chose are great, but not by far the best ones produced in that lovely country. From the Alentejo region you have wines from Borba (both white and red) that are best value for money you could have! Grous and Peceguinha are to me the two best Alentejo winemakers but I haven't found them back home in Chicago. From the Dao region, Alvaro de Castro's wines are all great, no doubt the best winemaker from that region, but if you have the chance, try Casa de Santar Reserve, a fabulous red wine! The Douro region is the one I know worst but Crasto and Niepoort wines are great! I recommend to all my friends Portuguese wines and food, it's to bad (or not, since it retains it's charm this way) that people here in the US don't know that country better!
Do not forget "Touriga Nacional"
The Queen... It's almost impossible to do a bad wine with those grapes!
(I also found strange the absence of mention to them)
The portuguese wines are fantastic.
How can you have an article on Portuguese wine without mentioning Madeira? I would think that to many people that represents Portuguese wine to them. Only those who are more adventurous would know of the other wines.
Madeira is also a great place to visit. It's a long trip from the U.S. but so worth it!
Reblogged this on Farm Foodie and commented:
I will definitely be putting some of these Portuguese wines on my "to drink" list for the summer. The "fizzy pink Mateus" sounds delightful!
This fits as a glove to all US less informed citizens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNhCj33lyao
And you won´t be sorry.
Great article. And the world´s greatest (but also unknown) wines are from Portugal, indeed !!! :)
I have loved Mateus for years.
Iowa is fast coming up as a wine/grape producer. Farmers are switching from corn and soy to grapes. There are well over 100 vineyards at last years count. The wines are typically sweet but none the less, adding to the cellars stashes. A note: Australian wines typically will give huge headaches due to the very high level of added sulfites. Unless you live there, the exported bottles are required to up their sulfite levels. Not cool.
There are many many more great wines being produced in Portugal. Just google for them and you will find them. Add their excellent cheese (many choices from all over the country) and you will be surprised.
Teabaggers add a little food coloriing to Everclear and then guzzle it out of mason jars. They think that's real sophisticated.
D-baggers use the phrase "teabaggers" and think it makes them look like something more than small-dicked morons.
I have been drinking these wines for years – they are affordable (because no one know about them- yet...oops! ) and great quality. 13-14% Alentejo's are my favorite for dinner and I can drink bottles of light, bitter Vinho Verdes on a hot day!
Right on the spot.
I love wine! this is really cool article.