category: beverages/drinks: alcoholic beverages: wine

Portugieser, de.: Portugieser, Blauer Portugieser, Oportorebe, Vöslauer, Blaue Feslauertraube, Badener, fr.: portugais bleu

Although called Portuguese the red grape variety Portugieser is cultivated neither in Portugal nor in Spain. It is assumed that it originates in South East Europe, supposedly in the Danube region. Today it is cultivated all over South East Europe, in Germany and Austria. In Germany cultivation started around 1800 in Bad Dürkheim. About 4,5 % of the German wine growing area is taken up by Portugieser grapes. The main growing areas are Pfalz and Rheinhessen. In Austria the Portugieser is called Blaue Feslauertraube or Badener and in Hungary Kékoportó.

Where winegrowers try to achieve high crop outputs Portugieser wines are simple, fresh and with little body. In Germany they are ranked as Schoppenweine similar to some Trollingers in the German region Württemberg. These wines are best used to drink as a spritzer. Is the crop output smaller, fruity wines of medium quality can be achieved, sometimes with the potential to age. If producer and seller talk about subtle or discreet aromas without naming them explicitly, medium quality is likely. Good quality Portugieser wines can have berry and strawberry flavours.