Açores VR
| Wine region | |
 |
|
| Official name | Açores Vinho Regional |
|---|---|
| Year established | 15th century |
| Country |
 Portugal
|
| Part of |
 Azores
|
| Sub-regions | Pico, Graciosa, Biscoitos |
| Climate region | Mediterranean/maritime |
| Soil conditions | Basalt, Trachyte, Andesite, Clay |
| Total area | 1700 Ha |
| Varietals produced | Red wines: Agronómica, Aragonez (Tinta Roriz), Cabernet-Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Castelão (Periquita), Complexa, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Rufete, Saborinho, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Vinhão and Gewurztraminer; White wines: Arinto (Pedernã), Bical, Chardonnay, Fernão Pires (Maria Gomes), Galego Dourado, Generosa, Gouveio, Malvasia, Malvasia Fina, Moscatel Graúdo, Riesling, Rio Grande, Seara Nova, Sercial (Esgana Cão), Tália, Terrantez, Verdelho and Viosinho |
| Wine produced | 13754 hL |
The Açores VR (Portuguese: Açores Vinho Regional) is a Portuguese wine region located in the archipelago of the Azores. This region is classified as a Vinho Regional (VR), which corresponds to table wines with a geographical indication under European Union wine regulations, similar to a French vin de pays region.
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, some 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) from continental Portugal, the archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine islands, of which three cultivate wine-making grapes for export production: Terceira, Pico and Graciosa. Located on the American, European and African tectonic plates, the islands of the Azores originated from recent volcanism, and have soils that are shallow in depth, consisting of basalt, traquites, andesites and clay formations. Agriculture has remained an important aspect part of the region, with primarily milk-production dominating, in addition to pineapple, cereals and other greenhouse-based vegetables. The islands were colonized in the middle of the 15th century, and the first castes were introduced by Franciscan friars, who realized that the conditions in this region were comparable to Sicily and introduced the Verdelho caste (Verdecchio siciliano) which quickly spread on the islands.
The wine produced from these grapes was largely exported, particularly from the island of Pico, to much of northern Europe and Russia. After the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, many cases of Verdelho wine from Pico were found in the wine-cellars and warehouses of the Czar's residences.
The geographical designation Açores by government order 853/2004 (19 July 2004) was used to certify all the red and white wines produced throughout the archipelago.
The quality and prestige of Azorean wines have been recognized for a long time, resulting in the recognition of three Indicações de Proveniência Regulamentada (Indication of Regulated Provenance) for the wines of Pico, Graciosa and Biscoitos.
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