Estremadura is a province rather than a wine region, it is a long coastal strip to the north and west of the capital Lisbon and includes a total of nine subregions, the best known of which is probably Bucelas. Wines from the wider region are now labelled as 'Lisboa'. The climate on the coast - as elsewhere in Portugal's coastal areas - is very much influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Summers are warm, but there is also quite a lot of rain. Nevertheless, white as well as red wines are cultivated here. Lisboa, has the highest wine production of Portugal's wine regions even though the average vineyard holding is relatively small. An area to watch for the future as it has the capacity and potential to create new brands. Sadly two of its historic, coastal sub regions, Colares and Carcavelos, are victims of inexorable city-creep and property development.
