A tasting of wines from some of Portugal’s most interesting wineries recently took place in the British capital.

When asked about Portuguese wines, most people will immediately think of Vinho Verde — fresh, light white wines. However, few realize that Portugal is home to 250 indigenous grape varieties, many of which produce truly remarkable wines.

Among the whites, notable examples include Alvarinho with its floral notes, the aromatic Loureiro, Arinto with its crisp apple character, and Encruzado from the Dão region, north of Lisbon.

Among the indigenous reds, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira stand out, the latter offering subtle herbal notes.

An unusual experience can be found in the Muscat wines from the Setúbal region. These are aromatic but surprisingly not sweet on the palate, unlike classic Muscat wines.

Of course, it’s impossible to overlook Port wine, for which the city of Porto is famous and from which the wine takes its name. One of the most recognizable Port brands is Sandeman, known for its iconic logo featuring a man in a black cape.

And naturally, there’s Madeira, the fortified wine from the legendary Portuguese island. It is the perfect dessert wine, unmatched in its depth and complexity.