Grape Varieties

Produced almost exclusively in Dão, it is a mysterious grape variety, because is only referenced after the phylloxera crisis (end of the 18th century. XIX).

Its origin it is not known with certainty, even though it is speculated that it may be a foreign grape variety. It is characterized by a small, compact bunch of grapes, which sometimes has small and uniform grape berries and an heterogeneous epidermis colour, black-blue tone.

The pulp, not coloured, is soft and juicy, with a particular taste. This variety presents a regular production and average maturity, contributing to the excellent balance between sugar and acids, tannins and good wine color, while fruity and fine aromas, which resemble ripe strawberries, make wines complex over the years

Was a loved variety in the past, which reigned over large areas of the region and is currently relegated to oblivion. Was, for many years, the fundamental basis for the production of rosé wines to which gave delicacy and fragance base. Gives to the wines a little colour, floral aromas and alcohol, median high acidity. Has a very low potential for ageing that is why is mixed with other grape varieties which gives softness, perfume and balances the acidity.

It is a very productive and with a good maturity grape variety. The bunch is big and open and contains heterogeneous size berries, with somewhat flattened and epidermis black color, thick medium-blue with strong bloom. The pulp, in its turn, is not coloured, is juicy, soft and has a very own flavor. In wines, whenever this grape variety exists in good percentage, intensifies the aromas of ripe fruit, gives a lot of colour and good alcoholic graduation. It is notorious the excellent balance marked by the quality of its tannins, as well as the balance of its body and acidity, resulting in harmonious and very elegant wines, with high potential for aging.

It is perhaps the most widespread grape variety grown in Dão. The grape berries are medium sized, thick skin. The grape seeds are small in number, but large and herbaceous. Its main feature is the precocity. For this reason reaches very high sugar levels and consequently a high alcohol content and the lowest acidity of the Dão wine grape varieties. Provides elegant, soft and fragant wines, reminding a little of the grape variety Jaen, although largely more open in colour.

In the region of Dão Jaen is produced, at least, since the middle of last century, being quoted, in 1865, in wine surveys, as one of the most dominant grape varieties in the municipality of Mangualde. It is lawful to think that has been brought by pilgrims returning home through the paths of Santiago. After the plague of phylloxera was spread throughout the region of the Dão, this grape variety continued to have a good productivity and prematurity, which allowed the production of wine with good graduation and good colour. The bunch of grapes is large and compact, with average and uniform grape berries,the epidermis is not thick, with blue-black colour and average bloom. The flesh is soft and juicy and not coloured. The wines are elegant, with regular alcoholic content, intense colour and very soft, due to its low acidity. But it is its intense and delicate scent, reminding a little raspberry, which makes this grape variety the most precious.

It is a grape variety widespread in the Dão area due to its good fertility, it has an high production, but irregular. Displays a medium and compact bunch of grapes, with medium-sized grape berries, not uniform, slightly flattened and with a thick and a black-blue coloured and strong bloom. Its pulp, not coloured, is soft and juicy. Presents an average maturity. Gives the wine a medium alcoholic content and acidity. Ruby-coloured wines, floral aromas, herbaceous flavour and light structure. Presents a very weak potential of ageing, that's way it is blended with other grape varities giving some perfume and acidity. It is used in the production of rosé and sparkling wines.

It is a very old variety known in Dão since the XVII century, however has always been not much produced due to its low productivity. The bunch of grapes is medium. The grape berries are medium with thick skin. Its maturation is late. In suitable soil and climate conditions, produces wines from red color to deep purple with violet shades and very alcoholic, full bodied, tannic, of penetrating aromas with a mix of wild flowers and red fruits, which brings some notes of currants and raspberries, very acids in the first few months but, over time, become harmonious and robust. Have very good potential for aging dued to its tannins, round and powerful at the same time, in perfect balance with the acids and flavors.

The fame of Dão wines is due, in large part, to this grape variety, which, in the past, before the phylloxera crisis, was dominant in the region's vineyards. It is the noblest among the red grape varieties. It has a small and elongated bunch of grapes that bear tiny, rounded and not uniformed grape berries with black-blue epidermis coated with strong bloom. The pulp is stiff, not coloured, juicy and has a distintive flavor It is a medium maturing variety; production may be medium to high when using selected materials and appropriate conditions, otherwise it is low. The wines have an intense red colour, with purplish blue shades, when they are young. The aromas are intense and highly complex with traits of ripe dark fruits and berries (blackberries, rosemary, lavender, pine needles, rock rose) In the mouth they are full-bodied, persistent, robust, with high tannins and very fruity. Great potential for prolonged ageing, acquiring then an elegance and a distinct velvety aroma.

It is one of the most cosmopolitan Portuguese grape varieties, growing up from Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro to the Algarve. The bunch of grapes is medium to large. The grape berries are medium with thick skin. The maturation is medium. When it's harvested at its great state of ripeness, produces wines with intense red color, aromas of very ripe black fruits, with a soft and harmonious flavor.

Is a widespread grape variety in the center of Portugal and known for its great precocity. The bunch is medium and loose in size and has grape berries relatively small, heterogeneous and with green skin and yellowish medium bloom. Its pulp, not coloured, is juicy and with a distinctive flavour, while its maturation is the premature type with regular production. If the grapes are harvested at the right time, the wines will be citrus coloured, with complex aromas with good citrus fruit, fine, relatively dry and elegant, with good alcohol content and low acidity.

This grape variety presents, in Dão, different oenological characteristics compared to other wine-growing regions of Portugal. It is the region's most productive grape variety but is considered the most late one in terms of production. The bunch of grapes is medium and compact and the grape berries are medium size, uniform, rounded, with yellowish green epidermis and averaging bloom. The flesh is soft and juicy. Presents a regular production, median levels of sugar and high acidity. This grape variety produces wines with citrus colour, intense and delicate fruit aroma, showing lots of vivacity in flavour, result of an acid imbalance that is characteristic of this grape variety. It is usually mixed with other grape varieties which provides wines acidity and particular aromas.

So far this grape is only grown, practically, in the Dão region, where has the primacy among the white grape varieties. The bunch of grapes is small and compact, the grape berries are medium-sized, heterogeneous and slightly flattened and its epidermis is yellowish-green, with average bloom. The pulp, in its turn, has a very unique falvour,it is soft and juicy. It is a medium maturing variety its production is regular. The wines have a strong citrus colour with good alcoholic content and a great delicacy, elegance and aromatic complexity,with vegetables, floral and mineral notes. The wines are fine and elegant in taste, denoting an outstanding balance alcohol/acidity. Great potential for ageing, surprising for its freshness and persistence in the mouth where aromas and flavours of hazelnut, pine nuts and pine resin come out. It is the most balanced grape variety at Dão.

It is a very cosmopolitan grape variety, diffused by almost all wine-growing regions of Portugal. It finds at Dão good weather conditions that allow to express all its potential, that's why this is the most produced in the region. The bunch of grapes is medium and loose and the grapes are small, heterogeneous and with yellowish green epidermis with average bloom. It has a premature maturation. Enables obtaining citrine colour wines' , with intense aromas, although simple, dominated by floral tones, with balanced acidity and an elegant final, thoughaverage persistence. Has a good potential for ageing, with wines presenting an extraordinary bouquet, where the colour turns to yellow-straw, and highlighting the complexity of its aromas associated with a fineness, balance and elegance. Blended with other Dão grapes, prints a peculiar pattern and the personality of the white wines of the region.