Douro Wines

Douro wine region

Today, there are two distinctly different ways of making a Douro wine. The traditional method, where the grapes are trod in a lagar – a wide, shallow granite tank – produces wines with more colour and tannins which, generally speaking, improves their potential for ageing.

On the other hand, there is a more modern method that has risen in popularity, where the wines are made in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperatures.  The latter wines are more elegant and the aromas of the wine are better preserved.  Some winemakers use both winemaking techniques in order to obtain more complex wines.

Modern bottling methods

There have also been changes in the manner by which these wines are aged before they are bottled.  Traditionally, the wines were aged in large wooden vats although these are being gradually replaced by oak casks or by stainless steel tanks.

Because of the various technological choices currently available, Douro wines are made in a wide range of styles.

White Douro wines

White wines can be fresh, with fruity and floral aromas and an intense bouquet, and these should be consumed young.  One can also find white wines that have fermented or aged in wood.  These are wines with complex aromas of tropical fruit, with a touch of almonds, buttery, full-bodied and with a potential for ageing.

Red Douro wines

Red wines may be young, with aromas of cherry and raspberry, rounded and ready to be consumed as soon as they are bottled.

The Douro Region is also particularly suitable for making red wines for ageing.  When these are young, they are a deep purple, with aromas of black fruit, chocolate, violet and touches of wood, in the event that one choose this type of ageing. 

These full-bodied and powerful wines in their youth become complex and delicate when they reach their peak. The fruity are wines of excellent quality, with strong colours and very y relishes. The white wines are also served with fish and liver pate. The red ones are served with game, fowl and strong cheeses.
There are five high quality red varieties for the production of Douro and Port wine: Tinta Roriz ( also called Aragonez), Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Cão

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