A Portuguese DOC located in the vast area of southeast Portugal. It’s also a VINHO REGIONAL designation, which appears on labels as “Alentejano.” Known as the “bread basket” of Portugal, the Alentejo region covers about one third of Portugal’s available agricultural (and wine-producing) area. In addition to the improving quality of its wines, Alentejo is also known for the large number of CORKS produced from the Quercus suber oak trees, which are so abundant in this region. Alentejo comprises eight subregions that now have their own DOC status, most of which are named after nearby towns. They are Alentejo/Borba, Alentejo/Evora, Alentejo/Granja-Amareleja, Alentejo/Moura, Alentejo/Portalegre, Alentejo/Redondo, Alentejo/Reguengos, and Alentejo/Vidigueira. Although the white wine quality here is starting to improve, the Alentejo region is best known for its red wines which can be full-bodied and complex. Principal red-grape varieties are Aragonêz (TEMPRANILLO), Trincadeira (TINTA AMARELA), PERIQUITA, and Alfrocheiro Preto. The principal white grape is Rouperio, sometimes called Perrum or Síria.