📍 Beira Interior
Protected designation of origin (PDO) for white, rosé, red, liqueur and sparkling wine from inland east-central Portugal.
Beira Interior is a Portuguese protected designation of origin (PDO) for wine from the inland east of the country, registered in the EU on 14 April 2004 (file PDO-PT-A1546). The product specification covers three categories: wine (white, rosé and red), liqueur wine and quality sparkling wine.
The demarcated area consists of the whole municipalities of Belmonte, Castelo Branco, Covilhã, Fundão, Manteigas, Penamacor and Pinhel, plus selected parishes of Almeida, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Guarda, Idanha-a-Nova, Sabugal, Vila Velha de Ródão, Celorico da Beira, Mêda and Trancoso. According to the specification, it is the highest winegrowing region in Portugal, with vines at 300 to 750 metres, mostly on granite and schist soils, in a continental climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers.
Vines must be single-variety and low-trained (gobelet or Royat cordon). The list of main varieties is long and includes Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Rufete, Síria, Arinto, Baga, Alfrocheiro, Gouveio, Fernão-Pires and Folha-de-Figueira. The maximum yield is 55 hl/ha for all categories.
Minimum actual alcoholic strength is 11 % vol for white and rosé wines, 12 % for reds, 15 % for liqueur wine and 11 % for sparkling wine. Sparkling wine is made by classic bottle fermentation and stays at least 9 months at the bottler's premises. The term 'Seleção' requires 6 months of ageing and 12 % for white wine, or 12 months and 13 % for red wine.
How it connects to Wine
📍 Beira Interior ← main grape of ← 🍇 Rufete → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Part of
- 🗺️ Portuguese wine
- Related to
- 📜 Terras da Beira, 🍷 Still wine
- Grapes
- 🍇 Doña Blanca, 🍇 Rufete
- Main grapes
- 🍇 Touriga Nacional, 🍇 Rufete
- Wines
- 🍷 Red wine, 🍷 White wine, 🍷 Rosé
- What grows here
- 📜 Azeites da Beira Interior
Frequently asked questions
What is Beira Interior?
A Portuguese PDO for white, rosé and red wine, liqueur wine and quality sparkling wine, registered in the EU in 2004.
What is the maximum yield in Beira Interior?
55 hectolitres per hectare for wine, quality sparkling wine and liqueur wine.
How long must Beira Interior sparkling wine age?
At least 9 months at the bottler's premises; it is made by classic bottle fermentation.
What to read next
- 📜 Azeites da Beira Interior — An EU protected designation of origin (since 1996) for olive oil from two sub-regions of inland Beira, Beira Baixa and Beira Alta; almost all of it from the Galega cultivar.
- 🍇 Rufete — A red wine grape from Portugal and neighbouring Spain.
- 🍷 Red wine — Wine from dark grapes that ferments with the skins and takes its colour from them.
- 🍷 Still wine — Wine without noticeable bubbles: EU category 1, at least 8.5–9 % actual alcohol and no more than 15 % total; red, white, rosé or orange.
- 📜 Terras da Beira — Local wines (PGI) from the inland parts of the Beira region.
Similar
📜 Beira Atlântico · 📜 Terras do Dão · 📜 Lafões · 📍 Trás-os-Montes · 📍 Tejo · 📜 Alentejano
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.
What it includes
Sources
- Official Journal of the EU, C 208, 15.6.2023: Beira Interior PDO amendment and single document
- eAmbrosia – EU geographical indications register: Beira Interior (PDO-PT-A1546)