Red grapeSommo grape guide

Castelao

Castelao wine guide: what this red grape tastes like, where it comes from, the regions that grow it, and what to eat with it.

Colour
Red
Body
Full
Origin
Portugal
Top region
Setubal Peninsula
2
Key regions
3
Pairings
8
Synonyms

Castelao is a red grape variety, and it traces back to Setubal Peninsula, Portugal.

Structurally it lands at full body, medium tannin, medium acidity, dry and medium alcohol.

Look for dark fruits, wild fruit, oak and earthy.

The regions that matter for it are Setubal Peninsula and Douro.

In the vineyard it is marked by early ripening, medium vigour and a preference for thrives in arid to humid.

It blends readily with Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz.

Watch for the synonyms: Periquita, Trincadeira, Bastardo Castico and Castelao Frances.

At the table it suits pork and bean soup, mushroom risotto and grilled chicken thighs.

The structure.

Body
Full
Tannin
Medium
Acidity
Medium
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
Medium
Flavours
dark fruitswild fruit
Aromas
oakearthy
Styles
dry redroséfortifiedsparkling

Where it grows.

Blends well with.

Food pairings.

01 Pork and bean soup
02 Mushroom risotto
03 Grilled chicken thighs

Also labelled.

Periquita, Trincadeira, Bastardo Castico, Castelao Frances, Joao de Santarem, Trincadeira Preta, Santarem, Mortagua.

Bottles to look for.

  • Adega de Redondo 'Mare Viva' Tinto, Alentejo, Portugal
  • Adega Regional de Colares 'Chao Rijo' Tinto, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal
  • Adega Viuva Gomes 'Pirata da Viuva' Castelao, Estremadura - Lisboa, Portugal
  • Adega Viuva Gomes 'Sao Martinho' Castelao, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal
  • Antonio Saramago 'Risco' Tinto, Vinho Regional Peninsula de Setubal, Portugal
  • Casa Ermelinda Freitas 'Baia de Troia' Castelao, Vinho Regional Peninsula de Setubal, Portugal
  • Casa Ermelinda Freitas Leo d'Honor Tinto, Palmela, Portugal
  • Da Cruz e Teles COZs de Montejunto Vm - Castelao, Portugal

Castelao: common questions

01.
What does Castelao taste like?
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Castelao tastes of dark fruits, wild fruit, oak and earthy. Structurally it lands at full body, medium tannin, medium acidity, dry and medium alcohol.
02.
Where is Castelao from?
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Castelao originates in Setubal Peninsula, Portugal.
03.
Where is Castelao grown?
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The key regions for Castelao are Setubal Peninsula and Douro.
04.
What food pairs with Castelao?
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Pour it with pork and bean soup, mushroom risotto and grilled chicken thighs.
05.
What else is Castelao called?
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Castelao is also labelled Periquita, Trincadeira, Bastardo Castico, Castelao Frances and Joao de Santarem, plus three more.

Keep going: the A to Z grape index, or the wine regions of Portugal.

Grapes in the app

Scan a Castelao,
see what is in your glass.

Sommo reads the label, names the grape and the region, and files the tasting note where you will find it again.