Trincadeira is a Portuguese black grape whose success depends on ripening healthy fruit. The vine is vigorous, and its thin-skinned berries are vulnerable to rot; in cooler or wetter conditions it may fail to ripen fully. When ripe, Portuguese wine sources describe raspberry, pepper, herbs and floral complexity, with colour and good acidity. In the Douro it is known as Tinta Amarela.
Continue readingTouriga Nacional is a low-yielding Portuguese red grape valued for intense colour, expressive aromas and structure. It is an important variety in both Dão and the Douro, where it contributes to dry table wines as well as Port. Its small bunches and thick-skinned berries can build colour and aroma precursors, while WSET describes typical wines as high in acidity and tannin. In the vineyard, its performance must be matched to the parcel: altitude, exposure, water and maturity vary widely across the Douro.
Continue readingTouriga Franca is a Portuguese black grape with a central role in the Douro, where it contributes to both dry reds and Port. The Douro authority describes regional wines with intense colour, blackberry and floral notes, dense body and firm but polished structure. It is often blended with Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, so the variety is frequently encountered as part of a regional composition.
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