Ilha Do Pico

The Azorean island of Pico, dominated by Portugal's highest mountain, gives its name to a wine landscape so distinctive that UNESCO listed it as World Heritage in 2004. Vines grow inside currais — small parcels enclosed by black basalt walls that shelter them from wind and salt-spray, and reflect sunlight onto the grapes. Verdelho, Arinto dos Açores and the rare Terrantez do Pico produce wines of singular salinity, smoky-mineral character and electric acidity. Production is small and almost entirely artisanal; bottlings from Azores Wine Company and Czar are the international references.