Tejo

Renamed from Ribatejo in 2009, Tejo follows its namesake river through central Portugal and shows three contrasting landscapes: the fertile, alluvial Campo along the river; the limestone Bairro to the north; and the sandy, pine-forested Charneca to the south. The breadth of terroir suits Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Castelão and the increasingly serious whites of Fernão Pires and Arinto. After decades of quantity-driven production, modern Tejo has pivoted firmly toward quality, with a wave of producers making approachable, well-priced reds and freshening whites. The region is also one of Portugal's best entry points to value Portuguese wine.