It is impossible to say from what period Portuguese grapes were turned into wine. The probability of in excess of 5.000 BC. is a safe assumption. Even during the Moorish occupation with the ban demanded by the Koran, it is recorded that wine was being made at a Monastery at Lourvão.

More modern records show that wine was being exported to England in the early twelfth century. In 1353 Portugal and England signed a treaty allowing Portuguese fishermen to fish off the English coast and thus encouraging Portuguese trade. A later record shows that in 1365 the Mayor of Dartmouth found himself in trouble for seizing a shipment of sweet wine named "Osey and Algarve".

The trade in wine became so intense that a British vice-consul was appointed to the town of Viana do Castelo to represent British interests. In 1703 this trade increased even further due to the Treaty of Methuen granting Portuguese wines preference over French for importation into England. Throughout the ages Portuguese exported wine have been referred to using names such as "Bastardo", Charneco" and "Riptage". The names refer back to the region within Portugal of their origin.