Dao Wines

Just south of the Douro, lies the very traditional and well established region of Dao, for which unfortified Portuguese wines owe part of their growth in popularity to.

Surrounded by mountains affording protection from both the sea and arid South-East, it has a Mediterranean climate. The region covers a large area, of which only about 5% is actually planted with vines. Most of the vineyards are over 400m above sea level on granite, sandy soils on gentle slopes. The best are higher up on the slate and granite slopes, and benefit from this protected environment, with lots of sunshine to ripen the high tannin grapes, but cold nights to elongate the growing process.

The majority of the wines are red. The most recognisable are produced from the famous Port grapes, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo). But you'll also find Jaen (Mencia in Spain) and Alfrocheiro which tend to make medium bodied, fruity reds. In general, the wines aren't as full on as the neighbouring Douro. The whites are most notable for the grape Encruzado, which can make full-bodied, lemon and peachy wines with herbal notes. Other white grapes here are often blended together or with Encruzado, and include include Bical, Malvasia Fina, and Fernão Pires.

Like the rest of Portugal, the growing focus is on quality with a series of upcoming young winemakers attracted to the region.