Bairrada and its wines

Bairrada is one of the most interesting and historic wine regions of Portugal central, located between theAtlantic and the mountain range of the Serra do Buçaco, in the province of Beira Litoral.
Characterised by a climate cool, damp Atlantic and by soils that are mainly clay-limestone, Bairrada is famous for its deep, long-lived reds from the Baga grape, but also for producing metodo classico sparkling wines among the most appreciated in Portugal.

In recent years, Bairrada has been going through a a renaissance in quality, with the rise of more elegant, fresh and food-friendly wines, both in the reds and in the whites.

What is the Bairrada wine district?

Bairrada DOC is the appellation governing production in the area:

• Bairrada DOC Rosso → based on Baga or blended with Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz.

• Bairrada DOC Bianco → based on Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires), Bical, Arinto, Cercial.

• Bairrada DOC Espumante → white and rosé traditional method sparkling wines, often based on Baga, Bical and Maria Gomes.

The area takes in the municipalities around Anadia, Mealhada, Cantanhede and Oliveira do Bairro.

Characteristics of Bairrada Wines

Colour

• Reds: Deep ruby red in the young wines, turning garnet with age.

• Whites: Bright straw yellow.

• Sparkling wines: Pale yellow for the whites; cherry pink for the rosés.

Aromas

• Fruity: Cherry, raspberry, blackberry in the reds; apple, pear, citrus in the whites.

• Floral: Rose and violet in the Baga reds; white flowers in the whites.

• Spicy and Mineral: Tobacco and black pepper in the reds; chalk and maritime notes in the whites and sparkling wines.

Palate

• Reds: Taut, fresh, with noticeable but elegant tannins; great longevity.

• Whites: Fresh, saline, extremely drinkable.

• Sparkling wines: Fine, vertical, food-friendly, with excellent acidity.

Typical Grape Varieties of Bairrada

Black Grape

• Baga: The emblem of the area, tannic, high in acidity, ideal for long ageing.

• Touriga Nacional: More floral and soft, used in blends.

• Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz: In blends, they add body and fruit.

White Grape

• Maria Gomes (Fernão Pires): Aromatic and fruity.

• Bical: Fresh, mineral, taut.

• Arinto: Long-lived and taut.

• Cercial: Elegant and fresh.

Why choose a wine from Bairrada?

The wines of Bairrada are food-friendly, fresh, long-lived and represent one of the most authentic and modern expressions of Portuguese wine:

• Baga reds perfect with roast meat, Portuguese-style duck, game, aged cheeses.

• Whites ideal with fish, shellfish, Asian cooking.

• Traditional method sparkling wines perfect right through the meal, with modern and fusion cooking.