Tejo

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The Tagus river plays a decisive role in the formation of three characteristic soil types: the 'Campo', with highly fertile alluvial soils; the 'Charneca', with sandy, low-fertility soils; and the 'Bairro', with moderately fertile clay-limestone soils.
• The geographical area is situated in central Portugal and encompasses the entire territory of the Tagus river valley across almost its full extent within national territory, extending to its estuary near Lisbon.
• The principal orographic features are the Serra de Montejunto and the Serra de Aires e Candeeiros, which delimit the region to the west and protect it from Atlantic influence.
• The climate is temperate, with average temperatures between 15 °C and 17 °C, strong sunshine of approximately 2,800 hours per year, and high rainfall, with a mean annual precipitation of 750 mm concentrated mainly in winter.
• The Tagus river, which traverses and dominates the region, exerts a marked moderating influence on the climate throughout the year, ensuring that even in summer, warm days are followed by cool, humid nights.

• Viticulture in the region predates the formation of Portugal as a nation, with the Romans being the principal agents responsible for introducing vine cultivation to the Tagus valley area.
• The careful selection of grape varieties, including many indigenous varieties that impart a strong regional character, is identified as an essential contribution to the distinctiveness of wines entitled to the Tejo geographical indication.

• Wine products entitled to the Tejo geographical indication are described as aromatic, fresh, and well-balanced, with a notable acidity as a common sensory trait.
• The balanced ripening of the grapes preserves a good level of natural acidity, which lends the wines freshness and equilibrium between acidity and alcohol.

• The combination of high sunshine hours and high rainfall favours the accumulation of sugars in the grapes, while the dominant presence of the Tagus river ensures mild temperatures and cool, humid summer nights, reducing water stress in the vines.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (caderno de especificações).

All appellations in Portugal

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-PT-A1547
• Official trade body site — Comissão Vitivinícola Regional do Tejo