D. Afonso Henriques allowed the vines to be planted in the region on the condition that he was given a quarter of the wine produced. Centuries later, during the reigns of D. João I and D. João III, realising the social and economic importance of these wines, some protection measures began to be taken for the wines from this area of the country.
Currently, the Geographical Indication Beira Atlântico covers part of the districts of Aveiro, Coimbra and Leiria, having as its northern boundary the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, and to the south, the municipality of Alvaiázere. Its most inland point is in the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra, being defined in the coast by the Atlantic Ocean.
The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean is the great common denominator of this vast geographical region, having a decisive influence on the grapes grown and, consequently, on the wine products produced here. It presents soils from different geological eras, predominantly poor soils varying from sandy to clayey, and there are also some sandy loam soils.
The vineyards are mostly cultivated in clay and clay-limestone soils. The winters are long and cool, the summers hot, and the region suffers a softening effect due to its proximity to the ocean and the influence of west and northwest winds, which are felt with greater frequency and intensity in these areas.
Within the Geographical Indication "Beira Atlântico", the sub-region "Terras de Sicó" is recognised as a complementary indication.
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