Best Portuguese wine to buy

Score: 96/100

Picking up nearly full marks with our panel, this Portuguese white wine offers excellent value for money. Crisp and zesty, with a light spritz, there are hints of elderflower, alongside fresh citrus and green apple.

Score: 94/100

We all know we’re supposed to hold our wine glass by the stem, rather than the bowl, but, as the name suggests, this easy-going brand doesn’t do old-fashioned etiquette.

The vibrant, fruity wine speaks for itself, appealing to our panel with its zesty citrus notes and saline edge. Team with olives for a refreshing aperitif or buy by the 1.5L box if you're hosting larger gatherings.

Score: 90/100

You’ll need to head in-store for this top-rated Douro red, but we think it’s worth the trip. Fruit-forward, fairly full-bodied and oh-so-easy drinking, it ticks a lot of boxes, especially at this price. It’s also a wine for all seasons, pairing with both barbecued or roast beef.

Score: 86/100

Trade in your beloved Aussie shiraz and take a punt on this seriously smooth Portuguese stunner instead. The concentrated, jammy black fruit is undeniable, but this full-bodied red also benefits from the fresh coastal breeze.

Four months in oak adds complexity, via notes of black olive, leather and black pepper and vanilla. Superb!

Score: 86/100

This inexpensive Portuguese red from Aldi offers excellent value. It champions indigenous grapes such as the highly tannic and aromatic touriga nacional, so you can expect a meaty, satisfying wine with lashings of black fruit, and a touch of black pepper to finish.

Score: 83/100

As we’ve discovered, Portugal is a top choice for picking up a bargain, and Lidl’s smooth, supple rosé is exceptionally versatile.

More robust than anything you’ll find from Provence, the palate is dominated by rich cherries, layers of blackberries and chewy, food-friendly tannins.

Score: 82/100

We think this wine showcases the terroir of the Douro at its best — and all with plenty of change from ten pounds. It’s made with the same grapes as is traditionally used in port and creates a similarly rich, brambly wine, with a touch of sweet cassis.

Score: 81/100

When it comes to Portuguese white wines, vinho verde (or “green wine” as it translates), is the epitome of the country’s inexpensive, yet excellent value wine scene.

Fresh and crisp with thirst-quenching acidity, it’s the perfect pairing for salad and seafood, and the naturally low ABV makes it particularly well suited to long, lazy lunches in the sun. However, don't discount it for winter – the slight spritz also means it's a top aperitif alternative.

Score: 80/100

Next up we have a white wine from the Douro, which should appeal to those who like a creamy chardonnay, or a weighty white Rioja.

The herbaceous nose displays refreshing coastal salinity, with plenty of acidity, followed by a richly textured, long finish. We’ll be surprised if you can resist a second glass...

Score: 78/100

Crisp and light, with zippy lemon and lime zest, pinot grigio fans should take note. Testers loved the grassy notes that are so typical of vinho verde, and found it really well-balanced, with hints of tart gooseberry and fresh green apple.

Score: 78/100

The “Chosen By Majestic” range is a good place to uncover a bargain. Piggybacking on the popularity of vinho verde, this wine perfectly encapsulates what we love about the region — intense freshness, mouth-watering acidity, a little residual sweetness that adds balance, and a light spritz on the finish.

Score: 78/100

We love the “M&S Found” range for discovering exciting regions and varietals that may not be our usual go-to. Here, the complex alicante bouschet grape shines with an array of red and black fruit, building to spicy, smoky flavours, and a touch of dark chocolate, leather and spice on the finish.

It would be delicious with lamb, but there’s also plenty going on for it to be enjoyed as a standalone sipper.

Score: 76/100

Made by Portugal’s well-regarded Symington Family Estates (more of which below), this blend of indigenous grapes offers a lot for the price.

Luscious and richly textured, there’s fragrant blossom, ripe peach and refreshing citrus, with a clean mineral edge running throughout.

Score: 75/100

Here we have a slightly more premium offering from Symington, as it moves outside of the Douro region.

Meaty and weighty, this intense red is dominated by blackberry, with a hint of leather, coffee and black pepper, adding to the overall structure. A top choice to have on hand for a variety of food pairings.