Portuguese wine is often great value for money. However, the most expensive Portuguese wine can cost thousands of pounds a bottle. These high-end bottles include legendary reds and rare vintage Ports that collectors covet. In this post, we explore five of the priciest Portuguese wines and what makes each one special.
Top 5 Most Expensive Portuguese Wines
Barca Velha – A Legendary Wine from the Douro
Barca Velha is often regarded as the crown jewel of red wine in Portugal. Produced by Casa Ferreirinha in the Douro region, it has only been made in the very best vintages since 1952. Fewer than twenty Barca Velha releases have ever occurred, making each one highly sought after by enthusiasts. Thanks to its scarcity and legendary status, a bottle of Barca Velha commands around £500 on the market.
Pêra Manca (Red) – An Iconic Wine of Alentejo
Pêra Manca is an exquisite red wine from Alentejo that ranks among Portugal’s priciest bottles. Made by the Cartuxa winery only in exceptional years, Pêra Manca is renowned for its silky tannins, rich fruit, and superb aging potential. Production is extremely limited, and each vintage carries prestige. A recent bottle of Pêra Manca often costs a few hundred pounds, with older vintages fetching even higher prices at auction. This iconic Alentejo wine exemplifies the region’s winemaking excellence.
Quinta do Noval “Nacional” – A Mythical Portuguese Port Wine
Quinta do Noval’s “Nacional” Vintage Port is a Port wine of almost mythical status. It comes from a tiny vineyard of ungrafted vines in the Douro, yielding incredibly concentrated grapes. “Nacional” is only declared in outstanding years, and just a few hundred cases are produced when it is. Collectors covet Noval Nacional for its story and quality. A single bottle can range from around £800 to well over £1,000 for the most prized vintages.
Graham’s “Ne Oublie” – A 130-Year-Old Portuguese Wine Treasure
“Ne Oublie” is an extraordinarily old tawny Port released by Graham’s. This wine dates back to 1882 – aged in oak casks for over a century before it was finally bottled. Only 656 bottles were produced. Ne Oublie debuted at about £5,000 per bottle, instantly becoming one of the most expensive Portuguese wines ever. It is truly a liquid piece of history from Portugal’s wine heritage.
Jupiter Code 01 – Modern Portuguese Wine Luxury from Alentejo
Jupiter Code 01 is a modern luxury release from Alentejo’s Herdade do Rocim. Debuting with the 2015 vintage at roughly £1,000 a bottle, it set a record for Portuguese table wine prices. This exclusive red blend was fermented in clay amphorae (talha), blending ancient winemaking tradition with modern excellence. With its four-figure price and tiny production, Jupiter Code 01 shows that a contemporary Alentejo wine can reach elite luxury status.
Enjoying Portugal’s Wine Without Breaking the Bank
The five wines above represent the pinnacle of Portugal’s wine heritage, but most of us will never get to taste these rare bottles. The good news is that Portugal offers many fantastic wines at far more accessible prices. For instance, Porta 6 Red – Britain’s favourite red from Portugal – costs under £10 and still delivers wonderful flavour. Bulkyway’s online shop offers a range of popular wine labels from Portugal at great prices, so you can explore regions like Douro or Vinho Verde without spending a fortune.
So while a £5,000 bottle of century-old Port might remain a dream, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying a delicious wine from Portugal today. Saúde (cheers)!
