{"id":8438,"date":"2018-02-14T11:09:36","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T11:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/?p=8438"},"modified":"2026-06-12T15:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T14:50:09","slug":"salty-wines-colares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/salty-wines-colares\/","title":{"rendered":"Colares: Portugal’s Most Extraordinary Coastal Wine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just a short drive from Sintra’s fairy-tale palaces, one of Portugal\u2019s best-kept secrets awaits. Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and gentle sand dunes, the small Colares wine region crafts unique wines found nowhere else. Here, vineyards withstand ocean winds, flourish in sandy soils, and uphold age-old traditions. For wine lovers seeking authentic experiences beyond the well-known Douro Valley and Alentejo, Colares presents a rare opportunity: a wine with a distinct story that can\u2019t be replicated elsewhere.<\/p>\n

A Wine Region Shaped by History<\/b><\/h2>\n

Officially demarcated in 1908, Colares is Portugal\u2019s second-oldest wine region, but its history dates back centuries. Records suggest the Ramisco grape, now linked to Colares, was introduced during King Afonso III\u2019s reign in the 13th century. Local growers adapted vineyards to a tough environment: sandy coastlines exposed to Atlantic winds. Then, a pivotal event altered Colares’ fate.<\/p>\n

The Vineyards That Defeated Phylloxera<\/b><\/h2>\n

During the 19th century, the phylloxera epidemic devastated Europe\u2019s vineyards. Many regions grafted European vines onto American rootstocks resistant to the pest. However, Colares was different; its deep, sandy soils kept the pest at bay, allowing the vineyards to survive untouched. While most European vineyards were replanted, many Colares vines remain on their original roots. Today, these ungrafted vines are among the rarest in the world, representing a living link to Europe’s pre-phylloxera wine heritage.<\/p>\n

The Influence of the Atlantic<\/b><\/h2>\n

Understanding Colares wine starts with the Atlantic Ocean. Vineyards near the coast are influenced by salty sea air, ocean mist, and maritime winds. Sandy soils and native grapes give these wines their unique character. The white wines, especially those from Malvasia de Colares, are known for mineral notes, freshness, lively acidity, and maritime hints such as salinity or iodine. Each sip reflects the landscape, shaped by land and sea.<\/p>\n

A Hidden Experience Near Sintra<\/b><\/h2>\n

Most visitors come to Sintra for the palaces, but a unique wine experience awaits beyond the mountains. As part of our private Sintra tours, including The Wonders of Sintra and custom journeys, Portugal Premium Tours lets you explore Colares wine. Our partner, Vi\u00fava Gomes Winery, is a family-run producer key to preserving the region\u2019s wine heritage. Here, wine tasting is more than sampling; it’s a discussion of history, tradition, terroir, and the challenges of making Portugal’s rarest wines.<\/p>\n

Our Recommendation: Vi\u00fava Gomes White<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Vi\u00fava Gomes White from Colares is an ideal introduction to the region. Crafted from Malvasia de Colares, it captures the Atlantic\u2019s essence through elegant mineral and maritime aromas, complemented by refreshing acidity and a salty undertone. Dry, lively, and crisp, it pairs perfectly with long summer afternoons by the sea. More than just a wine, it embodies the spirit of the Atlantic coast.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"

Vi\u00fava Gomes White features Malvasia de Colares grapes, native to the region, with a maritime environment contributing a mineral character and iodine notes. It is fresh, salty, dry, and has light Atlantic acidity.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Discover Portugal Beyond the Expected<\/b><\/h2>\n

Portugal’s greatest treasures often lie beyond famous landmarks. Colares is one such place where ancient vines grow in sand, tradition thrives, and every bottle tells a story of resilience, heritage, and connection to the sea. At Portugal Premium Tours, we believe the most memorable journeys uncover these hidden stories.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re into wine, history, gastronomy, or local experiences, we can create a tailored itinerary revealing Portugal\u2019s lesser-known gems. Some of the country’s finest experiences are in hidden places you least expect.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The wine region of Colares was defined in 1908, becoming the second oldest demarcated region in the country. know more about this unique wine!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8438"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22312,"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8438\/revisions\/22312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premiumtours.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}