WINE SCHOOL 29 November 2021 - 5 December 2021

REGION: Portugal > Douro

Long famous as the origin of Port, the Douro is gaining increasing attention for the quality of it's table wines, both red and white.

Starting at the Spanish border, the region traces the Douro river for some 100km west towards Porto and encompasses three sub-regions and a variety of climates. Furthest east, Douro Superior is hot and arid. Moving west towards the coast we pass through Cima Corgo and end in the warm and wet Baixo Corgo. Vineyards in each area can be located on the valley floors or up in the hillsides adding additional temperature variation.

Key red grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Touriga Francesa
Key white grapes: Malvasia Fina, Rabigato, Viosinho, Gouveio

GRAPE: Touriga Nacional

Toutiga Nacional is a very vigorous vine which requires robust pruning and attentive canopy management to focus solar energy and plant resources away from producing leaves and branches and into ripening grapes. The resultant berries are very low-yielding: small in size and number and producing exceptionally dark, rich, tannic wine.

The uncomprimising nature of the grapes means that it is usually found as part of a blend with softer and more fragrant varieties. It is widely grown in the Dão and is important in the Douro where it forms the backbone of many of the finest Ports. It is also present to a lesser extent in Portugal's other main wine regions and is found in Australia and South Africa.

Synonyms: Bical Tinto, Mortágua, Mortágua Preto, Preto Mortágua, Touriga (Australia), Touriga Fina, Tourigao

RECOMMENDED WINES