Douro

Douro is part of the Região Norte and is bordered by Alto Trás-os-Montes to the north, Spain to the east, Beira Interior Norte and Dão-Lafões to the south, and Tâmega to the west. Douro stretches over 4112 km².

The recommended red grape varieties are: Tinta Roriz (called Aragonez in Alentejo, Tempranillo in Spain), Bastardo, Marufo, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Francisca, Tinto Cão, Touriga Francesca, Touriga Nacional and Trincadeira Preta.
The authorized white grape varieties are: Donzelinho, Esgana Cão, Folgasão Gouveio (or Verdelho), Malvasia Fina, Rabigato and Viosinho.

The north of Portugal is green. Summers are not quite as hot, and occasional rain showers prevent summer vegetation from withering.

Douro used to be the port wine-growing region east of Porto on the Douro River. The slate soils retain moisture and help the vines survive the dry, hot summers. In the meantime, however, more and more classic red wines of considerable quality are coming from the Douro. The wines are somewhat poorer in tannins and more acidic than from other regions.

Winegrowing on the Douro used to have a special status. Although Portugal was doomed to produce cheap wine for Eastern Europe during the socialist dictatorship, viticulture along the Douro continued uninfluenced by British companies. As a result, the Douro has the highest average quality in Portugal.