The Grapes of Portugal
A guide to Portugal's native varieties
Portugal guards more than 250 indigenous grapes — more per hectare than almost anywhere on earth. These are the varieties every collector should know, from the violet perfume of Touriga Nacional to the ungrafted Ramisco of Colares.
Red · Douro Valley, Dão, Alentejo, Lisboa & Colares
Touriga Nacional
Portugal's flagship red — violet, bergamot and noble tannin.
Red · Douro Valley
Touriga Franca
The Douro's most planted grape — the perfumed spine of Port.
Red · Douro Valley, Alentejo, Dão
Tinta Roriz · Aragonez
Iberia's great grape, Portuguese by two names.
Red · Bairrada
Baga
Bairrada's Nebbiolo — tannic, tense, and magnificent with age.
Red · Setúbal Peninsula, Lisboa & Colares
Castelão
The southern sand-grown red, famous as 'Periquita'.
Red · Alentejo, Douro Valley
Trincadeira
Alentejo's spicy, sun-loving soul.
Red · Alentejo
Alicante Bouschet
The teinturier that became an Alentejo icon.
Red · Dão
Jaen
The Dão's silky, early-ripening red.
Red · Douro Valley, Vinho Verde
Sousão
Deep colour and electric acidity.
Red · Douro Valley, Dão
Tinto Cão
A rare, low-yielding guardian of finesse.
Red · Lisboa & Colares
Ramisco
Pre-phylloxera vines in Atlantic sand.
White · Vinho Verde
Alvarinho
The noble white of Monção & Melgaço.
White · Vinho Verde
Loureiro
Laurel-scented and Atlantic-fresh.
White · Dão
Encruzado
The Dão's Burgundian white.
White · Lisboa & Colares, Alentejo, Bairrada, Vinho Verde
Arinto
Portugal's great keeper of acidity.
White · Alentejo
Antão Vaz
Golden, generous Alentejo white.
White · Setúbal Peninsula
Moscatel de Setúbal
Amber fortified legend of the Sado estuary.