Oporto
Red Grape Variety
The Oporto grape variety, officially known as Touriga Nacional, is best known for its use in Port wine, a sweet and strong fortified wine iconic to Portugal’s Douro Valley. It is highly regarded as one of Portugal’s finest red grape varieties.
This grape variety is characterized by its high concentration of sugars and tannins, which give the resulting wine a deep color and robust structure. Wines made from Oporto grapes often carry intense aromas of dark fruits, floral notes, herbs, and subtle hints of chocolate and spices.
Oporto grapes are commonly blended in Port wines, adding to their complexity and enhancing aging potential. Occasionally, this grape is vinified on its own to create premium wines, which are often rare and more expensive.
Oporto in Romania
In Romania, the Oporto grape variety, also known as Touriga Nacional, is grown on approximately 228 hectares, albeit on a much smaller scale than in Portugal. It was introduced in Romanian wine regions that are more suitable for its growth, such as the hills of Muntenia, the Iasi Vineyard, and the western part of the country.
Romanian winemakers generally use Oporto grapes to produce premium red wines, occasionally blending them to add complexity and depth. However, production in Romania is limited and mainly focused on the premium segment, with high-quality wines that are often appreciated by connoisseurs.
Tasting Notes:
Blackberry
Blackcurrant
Raspberry
Chocolate
Oporto at Romanian Wines.net