Douro
Styles
Principal grape varieties
BarcaPatorraViosinhoVitalPetit Bouschet (Bouschet Petit)Sevilhao (Corbeau)SercialPinheira Branca (Jampal)BicalNevoeiraSiriaBarretoPinot NoirBastardo (Trousseau Noir)SémillonBatocaCornifestoBranco GuimaraesBranco Especial (Madeleine Royale)Bragao (Barreto)Malvasia PardaMalvasia PretaMalvasia Rei (Palomino Fino)TamarezMalvasia FinaRatinhoMarufoMelraVerdelho (Verdelho Branco)Caramela (Luglienga Bianca)MalandraArintoRabigato MorenoRabigatoRabo De OvelhaVerdial Branco (Alva Verdial)FolgasaoTrincadeiraSarigo (Cayetana Blanca)Carrega BrancoCarignanAlvarinhoCerceal BrancoFernao PiresCarrega TintoVarejoaCastelaoSantareno (Etraire De La Dui)AramonCastelaAragonez (Tempranillo Tinto)SamarrinhoCasculhoTinto Sem NomeGrangealAlicante Bouschet (Alicante Henri Bouschet)Grand NoirTinta MesquitaS. Saul (Cinsaut)Tinta MartinsTinta Lameira (Parraleta)Côdega Do LarinhoGouveio RealGouveio EstimadoTinto CaoCidadelheTinta Penajoia (Peloursin Noir)Tinta Tabuaço (Tinta De Tabuaco)Tinta PomarTinta PereiraChasselasAlvarelhao BrancoConcieiraGouveioJampalTouriga Branca (Branco Gouvaes)Touriga FêmeaAlvarelhao CeitaoTouriga FrancaTouriga NacionalTinta AguiarTinta FranciscaTinta FontesTinta CarvalhaRufeteValdosaValente (Heunisch Weiss)Tinta Bastardinha (Alfrocheiro)Tinta BarrocaJaen (Mencia)RoseiraGonçalo PiresMourisco De TrevoesMourisco (Marufo)LourelaPortugues Azul (Portugieser Blau)Donzelinho TintoDonzelinho BrancoAvessoSousao (Vinhao)BagaDiagalves (Montua)Estreito MacioEspadeiroMondet (Durif)EngomadaMourisco De SementeMourisco Branco (Cayetana Blanca)MoretoPreto MartinhoMoscadet (Meslier Saint Francois)Moscatel Galego BrancoPraça
The Portuguese regulator (IVV) does not distinguish principal vs accessory varieties — every authorised casta is listed together in the caderno de especificações.
Terroir
Natural factors
- The demarcated region extends over a total area of 250,000 ha, divided into three naturally distinct sub-regions along the Douro river basin.
- The vineyards sit predominantly on soils of schist origin, with pockets of granite-derived soils not excluded, both widely recognised as well suited to the production of quality wines.
- The Serra do Marão and Serra de Montemuro act as a barrier against the penetration of humid westerly winds, and the Douro region, situated in deep valleys sheltered by mountains, is characterised by very cold winters and very hot, dry summers.
- The north bank of the river is under the influence of dry southerly winds, while the south bank is exposed to cooler, more humid northerly winds and receives less sunshine.
- Mean annual temperatures range between 11.8 and 16.5 °C, with daily and annual temperature ranges reaching their maximum at Barca d'Alva and their minimum at Fontelo, owing to differences in distance from the sea.
Human factors
- Before the phylloxera crisis that struck the region in 1862, plantings were made on small, irregular terraces called geios, with 1–2 rows of vines supported by stone walls.
- In the late 1960s and early 1970s a system of horizontal terraces with earthen embankments emerged, with planting densities in the order of 3,000–3,500 vines per hectare.
- The Região Demarcada do Douro was established in September 1756 by royal charter of King José I, making it one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Product characteristics
- Douro white wines generally ferment or age in wood, showing good aromatic intensity and good complexity.
- Douro rosé wines result from a light maceration of red grapes, displaying a pink colour, aromatic exuberance, and a soft, gently sweet palate with light acidity.
Terroir / wine link
- The soil, stoniness, altitude, sun exposure, climate, and slope of the terrain allow Douro wine to be produced across the full range of its analytical, organoleptic, and colour characteristics.
Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (caderno de especificações).
About this boundary · approximate area
Approximate area — the union of the administrative units named in the document (Eurostat GISCO or national cadastre boundaries).
Locality(ies) with no polygon of their own, drawn as the administrative unit that holds them: Armamar → Armamar (Armamar, Coura, Tões); Noura → União das freguesias de Noura e Palheiros; Vilarouco → União das freguesias de Vilarouco e Pereiros; Granjinha → União das freguesias de Paradela e Granjinha; Beira Grande, Lavandeira → União das freguesias de Lavandeira, Beira Grande e Selores; Adeganha → União das freguesias de Adeganha e Cardanha; Vila Flor → União das freguesias de Vila Flor e Nabo; Fontelonga, Meda → Mêda, Outeiro de Gatos e Fonte Longa.
Administrative unit(s) the document includes only in part, drawn whole: Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Vila Real); Várzea de Abrunhais (Lamego); Frechas, Avantos, Romeu, Carvalhais (Mirandela); Vilas Boas (Vila Flor).
Sub-regiões
- Baixo Corgo DOC (PDO)
- Cima Corgo DOC (PDO)
- Douro Superior DOC (PDO)
Sources
- eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-PT-A1539
- Official trade body site — Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto
Open Wine Map