Arguably Portugal’s finest red grape variety, Touriga Nacional has been historically used to blend, noted for its power and perfume, but in recent years producers have started to experiment with mono varietal wines.
Portugal’s most important red grape variety, Touriga Nacional is capable of producing exceptional wines. Although it is northern in origin, first used primarily as an important blending grape in the Douro, as part of the plethora of varieties that produce Port, the last few decades have seen a rapid growth in plantings and today Touriga Nacional can be found all over the country. It has spread south to the Algarve and the dry arid flats of the Alentejo, and also to Tejo, Setúbal and Bairrada where its thick skins and dark inky colour are considered perfect for the Portuguese climate. It’s naturally high yields are also appealing.
Touriga Nacional produces tannic wines with lots of acidity and the undoubted ability to age. With time attractive aromas of blackcurrents and liquorice develop.
