How fascinating the split in personality between the two nations that occupy the Iberian peninsula! Yet in both one finds an extraordinary wealth of vinous diversity.

Portugal, like Spain, boasts a vast catalogue of indigenous grape varieties; indeed a large number are shared between the two nations where, in many cases, each is ascribed several different names, making somewhat tricky the studies of the nascent ampelographer. Witness Tempranillo, that mainstay of Rioja. In Spain it is also known variously as Tinto Fino, Tinto de Toro, Tinto del Pais, Cencibel and Ull de Llebre (amongst others), whilst the Portuguese call it Aragonez or Tinta Roriz. See? Told you.

With a great range of topography and micro-climates, Portugal ranks as high in the excitement stakes as many more commercially prevalent nations. Renaissance is well under way, with regions like Dão, Bairrada and the vast Alentejo adding weight to the Douro’s successes.