Setúbal is a small peninsula located just south of Lisbon. The region is famed for its delicious caldeiradas (fish stews) as well for its scenic Arrabida Hills where the best Muscat de Alexandria vines are planted. In Setúbal, much as with the Ports of the Douro, the fermentation of sweet Muscat grapes is arrested after a short time by the addition of a small dose of brandy. The wine is then kept in contact with the grape skins for six months to accentuate its floral aromatics and flavor intensity.
At one time the Moscatel (Muscat) wines of Setabul were rightly counted and priced with the world’s greatest dessert wines. Rather mysteriously they fell out of favor after the Second World War.

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