Douro

Portuguese wines from Douro

On the steep slopes along the Douro River in northern Portugal, we find a beautiful wine landscape. These terraced vineyards are home to countless top-quality vines. Originally known for its port wines, this region has been producing exquisite red and white wines for several years now, using centuries-old grape varieties.

From Port to red and white wines

After the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake, Portugal needed money. And it turned out that wine was by far the most profitable. They were determined to help Lisbon recover. They started selling port wines, which quickly made it the best-selling wine worldwide at the time. Fortunately, the region quickly discovered how to utilize its rolling hills for red and white wines. Because of the steep slopes, the vineyards in the Douro Valley are terraced, creating a stunning landscape. The soil consists primarily of slate. This rock often splits into layers in the ground, allowing the vines to take deep root. The rolling landscape allows the mountains to protect the valleys from the cold winters and dry, hot summers.

Grape varieties

The most important red grape of the Douro wine region is Touriga Nacional. Wines made with this grape have a ruby-red color and a particularly fruity bouquet. This grape is primarily found in the finest blends. The most commonly grown fruit in this region is Touriga Franca, which forms the basis for dry red wines. This grape also blends well with wines like Tinta Roriz and Tourigo Nacional. Curious about this grape? Then treat yourself to the Callabriga Douro Red from the Casa Ferreirinha winery. This modern winery ages this wine for an impressive 12 months in oak barrels. A beautiful wine with spicy aromas and a fine body. The indigenous Portuguese Gouveio grape is often used for the white wine. This grape is particularly known for its fruity aromas and forms the basis for vibrant wines.

Port wines from Douro

The Douro region is divided into three zones. Baixo Corgo is the westernmost zone, Cima Corgo is the largest zone in the heart of the port region, and the Douro Superior is right on the Spanish border. Port plays an important role in all these zones. Port owes its name to the port city of Porto, but originates from this region. By interrupting fermentation with the addition of wine alcohol, the wine retains its residual sugar and achieves a relatively high alcohol content. The port houses in the Douro are often centuries-old, run by the same families for centuries. A good example is Feurheerds Port. This house was founded over two centuries and offers a wide range of port wines. Their wines are impressive and offered at a very attractive price. One of their finest ports is the 10-Year-Old Porto. It is aged for an impressive ten years in oak barrels, creating an intense and complex bouquet. The taste is soft and full-bodied with a smooth texture and is the result of a blend of traditional grape varieties from the Douro Valley.