Description
Wine
Light brown-reddish color with intense aroma of spices and dried fruits. Full bodied, complex and very persistent. Bottle to be stored standing up, in the dark with a constant temperature of 14-16ºC.
Region
The Douro wine region, also known as the Douro Valley, is one of the most renowned wine-producing regions in Portugal. It is also the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. It was created in 1756, in the reign of Joseph I, by his prime minister, Marquis of Pombal. This means it was the first wine region in the world to have its own regulation to protect its designation of origin. It is located in the northern part of the country and follows the course of the Douro River, which flows from the eastern border with Spain to the city of Porto on the Atlantic coast.
Port Wine
The Douro Valley is famous for producing Port wine, a fortified wine with higher alcohol content. Port wine is made by adding grape spirits (aguardente) during fermentation, which stops the process and leaves residual sugars in the wine, resulting in a sweet and rich flavor. The town of Vila Nova de Gaia, near Porto, is where many Port wine cellars and aging warehouses are located.
Climate & Terroir
The Douro Valley boasts a unique terroir with steep hillsides, rugged terrain, and schist soils. The region’s elevation and exposure to the sun provide excellent conditions for grape cultivation, particularly the Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and Tinta Barroca grape varieties, among others, which are used for producing Port wine.
Serve slightly cold between 12-14ºC. Goes well with appetites, cheese or sweets.