Yes, the wine region of the Setúbal Peninsula is different from the other regions in Portugal because the soil, for example, is marked by the maritime influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the estuary of the Sado River. The climate here is Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers, but with a gentle sea breeze that softens the temperatures. The soils range from clay soils to sandy and limestone soils, which provides a diversity of growing conditions for the vines.

Wine production in the Setúbal Peninsula is believed to have been introduced by the Phoenicians, around the 8th century BC, when they established colonies along the Portuguese coast. However, it was during the Roman occupation, as seen in other Portuguese regions, that viticulture here gained greater importance and development.

It was in the 15th century with the help of the monks that the region began to gain prominence in the production of fortified wines, especially the Moscatel de Setúbal wines. These sweet and aromatic wines were appreciated not only in Portugal but also in international markets, such as England and Brazil. During the 19th century, the Setúbal Peninsula region underwent a period of wine-growing expansion, with a significant increase in the production and trade of wines.

The region is well known for the local grape variety "Moscatel de Setúbal" which produces aromatic, sweet and fortified wines. Moscatel de Setúbal wines are internationally recognised and have a unique aromatic intensity, with a note of ripe fruit and a sweet and complex flavour.

But besides Moscatel de Setúbal wines, the region is also sought after for the production of its other fortified wines, such as wines aged in oak barrels, resulting in complex-bodied wines with aromas of dried fruit, spices and caramel. It is its richness in the variety of autochthonous grapes which are typical of the region, such as Fernão Pires, Arinto, Castelão, Trincadeira and Moscatel Roxo that make this region so rich in the production of wines very different from other regions in Portugal. And it is these grape varieties that contribute to the uniqueness of the wines produced in the Setúbal Peninsula region. A generous and wide variety of wine styles are produced here, besides sweet and fortified wines. The region's white wines are also known for their freshness and elegance, and the red wines are known for their intense flavour of ripe fruit and spices.

The region continues to evolve and to stand out on the wine scene in Portugal, not forgetting and preserving its traditions and history while adapting to current market trends and demands. The wines here are appreciated for their quality and authenticity, reflecting the rich wine-growing heritage of the Setúbal Peninsula.

In summary, although the Setubal Peninsula and the Lisbon region share a geographical proximity, they are distinct wine regions with unique soil characteristics, grape varieties and wine styles. Each region has its own legacy and contribution to Portugal's rich wine tradition.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes