Douro Valley, Portugal
The Douro was among the first demarcated wine regions in the world, with its boundaries defined in 1756. Although, primarily known for its production of Port, the Douro also makes really great, affordable still red and white wines! Long just a footnote to Port, these wines are now considered some of the best the country has to offer. Aboout two-thirds of the Douro's production is released under the Porto DOC, but most of the rest is high-quality unfortified wine, labled as Douro DOC. Wines produced under the Douro DOC are made from the same grape varieties used for Port production. Wines made from international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon do not qualify for the Douro DOC and are released under the regional appellation, VR Duriense.
Geography and Climate
The vineyards of the Douro begin approximately 40 miles(64km) east of the city of Oporto and extend 60 miles(96km) eastward to the Spanish border(where the river's name changes from Douro to Duero). For the most part, the Douro is rugged, wild and remote and can be divided in three subregions, like the picture shows above:
Baixo Corgo: The westernmost section, Baixo Corgo is a relatively fertile area with ample rainfall and makes mostly lighter styles of Port.
Cima Corgo: The central core of the Port region, this subzone has steep rocky slopes of schist and granite that have been terraced. The Cima Corgo has hotter summers, colder winters, and less rain than the Baixo Corgo, and it is considered to produce the finest Ports, along with still red and white wines! This is where the majority of Port is produced.
Douro Superior: The upriver, eastern part of the valley, this subregion has even more extreme temperatures than the Cima Corgo and very little rainfall. This is the largest subzone in terms of physical size, but less than one-quarter of its area is under vine for Port. This subzone is the source of much unforthat are fortified wine.
Grape Varieties
There are dozens of grape varieties theoretically authorized for Port production, but the number of grape varieties actually used in signifcant quantity is shrinking. Years ago, most vineyards were field blends with many different varieties growing side by side. New plantings, however, are usually single-variety vineyards using of the preferred varieties(these are the same varieties that produce port as well):
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Franca
Tinta Roriz(Tempranillo in Spain)
Tinta Barocca
Tinto Cão
In Conclusion
The Douro Valley is an awesome region and I hope you seek more out in the future. We will talk more about these grapes and even Port production in the future when I do a video of it, but that may be some time as Port is usually drunken during the colder months, but you never know, as I may have a cigar with a glass of Port during the summertime!
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