Portuguese Grapes
Touriga Franca (Touriga Francesa)
Touriga Franca is the second most planted grape in Portugal.
It plays an important part in Port Wine blends.
The Douro Wine Region
The Douro region is the oldest wine region in the world (1756) and is classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO.
Famous for Port Wine, Douro also produces quality red wines (Douro Tinto) tasting from light Burgund to rich Bordeaux.
Black Grapes | White Grapes |
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Touriga Nacional |
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Port Wines | Red Wines |
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Douro Climate
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The Corgo Viaduct carries A4 over the Corgo river.
In general, Douro has a warm continental climate, but the climate is not uniform:
Baixo Corgo (below Corgo) in the west, has the mildest climate and produces the lightest wines.
Cima Corgo (over Corgo) is centered around the village of Pinhão, and has the majority of the famous Quintas (Estates).
Douro Superior in the east, is the hottest and driest regions. It goes all the way to the Spanish border. It has cold winters and hot summers and is a source of many wines of good quality.
Soil |
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The soil in Douro is very rocky. Terraced vineyards (schist bedrocks) are common. Port vineyards are planted in silt layers on clay-schist spread over schist rocks. Table wines are planted on granite-based soils. |
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