DID you know that Rio de Janeiro was once the capital of Portugal? Mad isn’t it.

It happened in the early 1800s when Portuguese royalty and nobility fled to their South American territory due to Napolean’s invasion. Already an administrative base, Rio thus became the official capital of the Portuguese empire until Brazil gained independence in 1822.

So, yeah, mad. You know what else is mad? That the world of wine hasn’t often treated Portugal as one of its capitals - until now, perhaps, with sales of Portuguese wines very much on the rise.

This column reported last year that one of them was now Majestic’s best-selling red - the Porta 6 blend, from Lisboa, beating off competition from more illustrious Old World countries like France, Italy and Spain as well as the upstarts from the New World. It is still retailing at a bargain £6.99.

Moreover, the retailer has now declared a whopping 56 per cent year-on-year rise overall in all bottles coming in from Portugal.

Portugal also shipped 7.5 per cent more in 2017 compared to the previous 12 months - setting a new record for the country.

Majestic puts this ongoing rise at least partly down to price shifts caused by Brexit, and the need therefore to seek cheaper offerings from outside the more well-known EU heartlands. Portuguese wine, with less brand power, generally comes in at a lower price.

But there is also a growing appreciation of its native grape varieties and styles not usually associated with this land which is driving the rise in sales, ie it’s not just about port.

Furthermore, what used to be a handicap for Portuguese winemakers might now be a blessing in disguise. Basically, under the protectionist government of the late 20th Century, they were forbidden from growing international grape varieties, which came to dominate the international market. But not giving in to such market-driven forces means they now offer regional diversity and that aforementioned value for money which is so attractive to punters.

The aforementioned Porta 6, full of light, warm, ripe fruit and a touch of spice, has long since won over punters. But another couple of crackers on Majestic’s shelves include the 2016 Herdade De Gambia red (£9.99, or £7.99 in the Mix Six promotion) and 2016 Casa Ferreirinha Planalto Douro Reserva white (£9.99/£6.99).

The Herdade is a mouth-filling yet easy drinking 13.5 per cent wine. A blend of Touriga Nacional (one of those big dark grapes that used to be used only for port but makes lovely table wine too), Syrah and Aragonez, it spends three months in oak and comes out as a rich, flavoursome tipple with fresh red berry fruit being complemented by a touch of spice.

The vineyards, by the way, lie next to the estuary of the Sado river, in an important wildlife sanctuary, with bird hides dotted among the vines from where you can watch flamingos, spoonbills or stilts - a sketch of which features on the label.

Douro, meanwhile, might be famed for its port, but is far from restricted to fortified wine.

A Castrum Douro Red blend, available at the Co-op, featured in this column last week. The aforementioned Planalto, conversely, is a 12.5 per cent dry white blend. Light and delicate, it shows a good balance between fruit and acidity with a hint of lemongrass. It’s worth a try.

“Portugal has for some time been a little bewildering to the casual drinker - but it’s such an exciting country to explore that wine lovers are taking it to their hearts,” says Joe Aylmer, of Majestic.

“Indigenous grapes are both a blessing and a curse for producers. They can yield unique flavours, but have little brand recognition in the way that say Malbec, Chardonnay or regions like Chianti do.

“These results show that UK consumers are now starting to get their heads around them.”