Touriga Nacional

Bold, lush, and full of intense dark fruit, Touriga Nacional has gained great popularity for its dry wines and is the noblest variety in the blend that composes Port wine. The grape most likely orginated from the Dão region and also grows throughout the Douro Valley, both great Portuguese wine producing regions.

Tasting Notes for Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional makes a dry or sweet red wine. It is a deeply hued red wine with concentrated flavors of blackberry, plum, black cherry and cocoa powder. Aromas vary from sweet violets and mint to vanilla and baking spice (depending on oak aging). In texture it has fine tannins and if you’re a Cabernet drinker, this would make an excellent new wine to try.

Perfect Food Pairings for Touriga Nacional

Barbecue, Beef Tenderloin, Shepherd’s Pie, grilled sausages and any blue cheese will work well with a Touriga Nacional.

Sommelier Secrets for Touriga Nacional

For Port wine, there are more than 80 approved grape varieties that can go into the blend. Each grape has something unique to contribute to make an overall harmonious end product. Likewise in its dry wine form, you will often find Touriga Nacional blended with some of the other best Portugese grapes like Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (synonym for Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão.