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Touriga Nacional grape
Photo: John Cameron on Unsplash
Touriga Nacional is a red grape known for blackberry, violet, spice. Its best-known homes are Douro, Dão.
Origin and history
Portugal's most celebrated red grape, probably native to the Dão; it nearly disappeared after phylloxera before a revival in the 1970s and 1980s.
Where it grows
Douro (for Port and dry reds), Dão, Alentejo and Lisbon, plus Australia, South Africa and California.
Structure
Full body, deep colour, high acidity and high, firm tannins.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: blackberry, black currant, violet, bergamot and rockrose, plus spice. With age: dried fruit, leather, tobacco and cedar.
Ageing
Dry reds best within 5–15 years; Vintage Port made with it can age 50 years or more.
Good to know
It is one of the five recommended grapes for Port, alongside Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão, and has tiny, low-yielding berries.
Wine regions for Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Taylor's Vintage Port
Douro Valley · Porto · Touriga Nacional
Sweet and powerful: blackberry, violet, spice; made only in declared years.
Food: Stilton, dark chocolate
Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional
Old-vine field blend: plum, violets, cocoa and firm structure.
Food: Roast meats, bacalhau
Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Reserva
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Structured Douro red: dark fruit, violet and spice.
Food: Lamb, roast pork
Ramos Pinto Quinta de Ervamoira
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Single-estate Douro Superior red: ripe, floral and firm.
Food: Beef, game
Symington Altano Organic Red
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional
Juicy, organic everyday Douro red.
Food: Pizza, grilled meats
Quinta do Ataíde Douro Tinto
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Symington estate red: plum, herbs and fresh tannins.
Food: Lamb, sausages
Quinta do Vesúvio Pombal do Vesúvio
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Second wine of Vesúvio: rich, floral Douro fruit.
Food: Beef, lamb
Prats & Symington Post Scriptum de Chryseia
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Elegant Douro red from the Chryseia partnership.
Food: Lamb, duck
Quinta do Vale Meão Meandro Tinto
Douro Valley · Douro · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz
Vale Meão's second red: generous, fresh and spicy.
Food: Steak, roast pork
Esporão Colheita Organic Red
Alentejo · Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet
Ripe, organic Alentejo red.
Food: Grilled meats, stews
Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve Ruby
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Organic reserve ruby Port: rich plum and cherry.
Food: Chocolate, Stilton
Taylor's Historic Collection Tawny
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional
Smooth tawny Port with nuts and dried fruit.
Food: Nuts, crème brûlée
Croft Vintage Port
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Croft vintage Port: rich, floral and dark-fruited.
Food: Stilton, chocolate
Quinta de la Rosa Vintage Port
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Family-estate vintage Port: dark fruit and spice.
Food: Stilton, dark chocolate
Quinta de Roriz Vintage Port
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Single-quinta vintage Port: floral and firm.
Food: Stilton, cheese
Ramos Pinto Vintage Port
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Ramos Pinto vintage Port: powerful and long-lived.
Food: Stilton, chocolate
Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny
Douro Valley · Port · Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Aged tawny: walnut, fig, caramel and orange peel.
Food: Pecan pie, cheese
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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