Minho
This region lies south of River Minho – border with Spain – up to approximately 90 Km inland from the Atlantic Ocean and mainly north of River Douro. It is the largest of all wine regions and is divided in 9 sub-regions (Monção, Lima, Cávado, Ave, Basto, Sousa, Amarante, Paiva and Baião).
The Atlantic influence causes high rainfalls (1500mm/year). Although the climate is warm during summer it is common to rain in this time of year.
The soils have high acidity and are mainly granite with the exception of two narrow strips that cross from NW-SE, one of gravestone and the other of schist.