Douro is the most famous Portuguese wine regions thanks to its production of Port. The region produces top quality red wines that have their own appellation as DOC Douro since 1979.
The region is named for the Douro River, which flows from its source in Spain into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto. The Douro region begins 100 kilometres east of Porto and spreads until the Spanish border. The ancient vines, some of the oldest of the country, produce small yields of berries. The arid climate compels the winemakers to plant their vines in altitude. The terraced vineyards are part of a breath-taking landscape with their improbable localisation on the steep slopes high above the river. The soils composed of schist store the water and release heat during the night, which give excellent conditions to the ripening process.
The Douro is divided in three smaller areas. In the east of Porto, Baixo Corgo is the cooler moister zone inside the arid region. The traditional center is Cima Corgo, which produces the strongest and most elegant red wines. Near the Spanish border, the Douro Superior is the warmest and less rugged area.
Douro grape varieties
Port is the key element of the Douro wine production. The ripped grapes are used to produce the authorized quantities of Port. The fortified wines are made from five key varieties: Tinta Roriz or Tempranillo, the well-known and highly appreciated Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão. The same grapes are used in the production of structured, intense fruit-driven red wines.
The white wines from elevated vineyards have refreshing notes and a crisp acidity.
Douro's best producers
The most important wine estates in Douro are Taylor's, Croft, Fonseca, Quinta De la Rosa, Quinta Do Crasto and Quinta do Vallado.
