Douro
The Douro is the world's first demarcated wine region (1756) and the historic source of Port. Steep schist terraces along the Douro River grow a dozen indigenous grapes, with Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca leading the prestige blends. Fortified Port still drives much of production, but unfortified Douro DOC table reds — concentrated, dry, age-worthy — have grown into a serious category since the 1990s.
Signature grapes
Defining styles
Famous appellations
- Cima Corgo
- Douro Superior
- Baixo Corgo
History
The Methuen Treaty of 1703 cemented the British market for Portuguese wine. The Marquis of Pombal demarcated the Douro in 1756 to protect quality. British shippers (Taylor, Croft, Graham, Dow) dominated trade and built the Vila Nova de Gaia lodges where Port aged for decades. The 1990s saw the dry Douro red revolution, with producers like Ramos Pinto, Niepoort, and Quinta do Vallado leading.