Touriga Nacional is a native grape to Portugal. It's the most famous grape used in Port dessert wine, but it also makes very delicious dry wines!
First classified in 1790, this variety is considered by many as Portugal's finest! It likely originated from the Dão region of Portugal, where it's a main grape in their red blends. In the Douro Valley it's not as planted as its blending buddies Tinta Roriz (AKA Tempranillo) and Touriga Franca, and it's traditionally been rarely planted by those who don't produce Port, but today it is increasingly becoming a very important grape in their dry red blends. It's also seen in other wine making regions in Portugal, such as Alentejo.
(This article was written for GrapeBunch, our weekly wine periodical. Click here to read the original!)
The vine grows really small, thick-skinned grapes, with not a lot of them in its clusters, so Touriga Nacional is a low yield grape. Because of its smaller grape size, one of the smallest of any commercial grape, it has a larger skin-to-flesh ratio, allowing it to produce big tannins and a bold richness. Thus, it provides structure, body, and tannin to its blends. This is what makes it so important to making Port, and what make its dry wines so complex and ageable.
Touriga Nacional is a tough grape that's resistant to weather and pests, although it is prone to coulure. This is a metabolic reaction where the grapes just don't develop after flowering. In 2020, the vine and grape's resistance to heat made it one of the grapes allowed in red Bordeaux blends, as they deal with rising temperatures in the area.
Portugal's Silk & Spice Red Blend pays homage to the Portuguese sailors and explorers of the 15th Century. It's made from 35% Touriga Nacional, 35% Alicante Bouschet, 15% Baga, 10% Syrah, and 5% Tinta Roriz. There's flavors of ripe, cooked black fruits, vanilla, and hints of mocha, with a full and rich mouthfeel and balanced tannin. Pairing: Beef curry.
Joey Casco
Beverage Marketer
Certified Specialist of Wine
Certified Specialist of Spirits
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