In a mere 20 years or so since it joined the EU, Portugal has been transformed from a country of flabby, Oxidized whites and dried-out, tannic reds to one of the most exciting and innovative wine regions in the world. Investment, modern technology and knowledge have been the key drivers.

Qualitatively-speaking, the Douro leads the way for the reds but it is closely followed by its northern neighbours Dão and Bairrada. However, it is the large regions of the south, Alentejo, Estremadura and Terras do Sado, and Beiras in the north, that laid the ground with their excellent value, modern, fruity reds and whites from the mid-1990s onwards.

Pockets of vines cover most of Portugal - a total of 400,000ha - and it is Europe's 4th largest producer (with Germany) behind Italy, France and Spain.

Portugal boasts an incredible diversity of wines from the fresh, spritzy whites of Vinho Verde to the rich, full-bodied reds and, of course, powerful fortified Port wines, of the Douro. Portugal's fortified and red wines rule the roost, although the whites show excellent potential, and not just at the cheap and cheerful end. Excellent sweet Moscatels can also be found, in regions like Setúbal in the south. Tannins and acidity remain relatively high here but the wines share a lovely voluptuous fruit that can be seen across the range.

Portugal's finest white varieties are considered to be Loureiro and Alvarinho in Vinho Verde, Bical, the aristocratic Arinto, the full-bodied Encruzado. For the reds, the Port grape Touriga Nacional is its trump card, followed by other Port grapes Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Roriz, Baga, Castelão Frances and Trincadeira in the Alentejo. Portugal's defined appellations are designated DOCs (Denominação de Origem Controlada), along with a second tier IPR (Indicação de Proveniencia Regulamentada) - DOCs in waiting - and a third, more flexible classification for larger regions VR (Vinho Regional).